Pronunciation: [kˈɑːʒuːz bˈɛli] (IPA) 
Casus belli is a Latin term meaning "cause for war" in English. The spelling of casus belli is pronounced /ˈkɑːsəs ˈbɛlaɪ/. The first word, "casus" is pronounced with a long "a" sound and a soft "s" sound. The second word, "belli" is pronounced with a long "e" sound and a hard "ll" sound. The word has been used frequently throughout history to describe the reason or justification for a declaration of war.
Casus belli is a Latin term that can be translated to mean "cause for war" or "justification for war." It refers to an event or action, often perceived as an aggressive or hostile act, that is regarded by one country as sufficient reason for initiating armed conflict against another nation. Casus belli is a legal term used in international relations to establish the legitimacy of engaging in war.
This concept represents the specific incident, occurrence, or grievance that triggers the decision to go to war. It is often seen as the tipping point or the final straw that provokes a country to invoke its right to self-defense or to protect its national interests. Casus belli may include actions such as a direct attack on a country, an invasion of its territory, or an act that violates established agreements or treaties.
The determination of casus belli requires careful consideration, as it sets the legal and moral justifications for a nation's involvement in armed conflict. It must be assessed whether the perceived offense is of sufficient gravity and magnitude to warrant a military response. Often, diplomatic efforts and negotiations are explored before resorting to war, as casus belli is generally perceived as a last resort.
In summary, casus belli serves as the legal basis or reason used to justify a country's declaration of war, highlighting an event or action perceived as grave enough to justify armed conflict.
The term "casus belli" comes from Latin. "Casus" means "cause" or "occasion", and "belli" means "of war". So, "casus belli" literally translates to "cause of war" in Latin.
