Ultimatums, bargaining, and the duty to preserve alternatives to war

When can states justly make ultimatums? How should the recipients of ultimatums respond to them? This manuscript argues that because bargaining behavior like and redlines causes war by generating failure, these behaviors be scrutinized in same ways overtly aggressive acts invasion are examined. It then parties have a general duty avoid eliminating alternatives war. Ultimatums only justified if they satisfy just criteria cause, necessity, proportionality. Likewise, decisions reject impair later claims state is fighting do not reflect criteria.