Yunus Gul

Institution: University of Bonn

Period of stay: 23 September 2024 - 19 September 2025

Contact: yg468@cam.ac.uk

Profile: 

Yunus Emre Gul is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Bonn, specializing in cyber operations within the framework of international law. His research focuses on redefining the concept of ‘attack’ in cyberspace, evaluating its implications under jus ad bellum and jus in bello frameworks. Yunus previously obtained an LL.M. in Transnational Law from King’s College London with distinction, where he examined the application of the precautionary principle in cyber operations. He also holds an LL.M. in Public Law from Istanbul University, where his research centred on the proportionality principle in cyber attacks under the law of armed conflict.

Professionally, he has experience as a legal advisor and co-founder in the legal sector, alongside his research roles in international institutions. Yunus also contributes as a regional coordinator for a leading journal in the field of international law. His background is further enriched by his ongoing interdisciplinary studies, where he continues to explore how international law intersects with other social sciences.

Research Area:

International Law, Law on the Use of Force, Law of Armed Conflict, International Treaty Law

Research Title:

The Concept of Cyber Attack in International Law

Research Outline:

My research seeks to rejuvenate the seemingly ‘dead’ concept of attack in international law, particularly focusing on the emerging and increasingly significant notion of ‘cyber attack’. The term attack, a specialized term in international law, features prominently in pivotal legal documents such as the United Nations Charter and the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. These texts are cornerstones of two crucial branches of international law: the law on the use of force and law of armed conflict. Traditionally associated with physical consequences, the advent of cyber operations necessitates an expanded interpretation of attack to include non-physical forms of harm, signifying a pivotal shift in legal understanding. Ultimately, this thesis endeavours to redefine the legal parameters of the notion of cyber attack within the framework of international law. It aims to bridge the gap between traditional legal interpretations and the dynamic realities of modern warfare and technological advancements, ensuring that international law remains pertinent and effective in the face of evolving global challenges.

Publications:

Book
LAW OF WAR 2.0: CYBER ATTACKS AND LAW. Hukuk Akademisi Yayinlari (Academy of Law Publishing 2021). (ISBN No: 978-605-81015-5-5) (in Turkish)

Peer-Reviewed Articles

The Application of the Principle of Precautions to Cyber Operations, 61 (1) Military Law and the Law of War Review 3 (2023). 
Singapore Convention and Mediation at the Transnational Level, 2020 Asian Journal on Mediation 52 (2021).
Changing Notion of Object and Targeting Data under the Law of Armed Conflict, 27 (2) Marmara University Law Faculty Legal Research Journal 1298 (2021).
Drone Attacks and the Principle of Proportionality in the Law of Armed Conflict, 70 Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul 119 (2021). 
Is the Requirement of ‘Boots on the Ground’ Necessary Anymore for an Occupation?, 9 IBAD Journal of Social Sciences 336 (2021).
War Crimes and Individual Criminal Responsibility Arising Out of Cyber Operations, 26 (2) Marmara University Law Faculty Legal Research Journal 1063 (2020).  

Others

Digest of state practice: 1 January – 30 June 2024.
Digest of state practice: 1 July – 31 December 2023.
The Application of the Principle of Precautions within the Context of Northern Gaza: A Reminder, OpinioJuris (2023).

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