Libya claimed a 200-mile territorial sea zone, placing armed ships to enforce the claim and calling it a "line of death." The UN Security Council condemned Libya's actions as violating international law, which only recognizes 12 nautical miles of territorial waters. Authorized by Congress, the US sent ships and jets to patrol the 200-mile zone. After a Libyan ship fired at a US jet, US forces returned fire and destroyed two Libyan ships.

1. Question 2: Libya recently announced that it is claiming a
Question 2: Libya recently announced that it is claiming a 200-mile zone off its coast as its
territorial waters (and airspace). To stake its claim, Libya placed armed warships across the
200 mile line and warned the world that this line constitutes a “line of death” to anyone who
might cross it. Customary International Law establishes that States may only claim 12 miles
off their coast as territorial waters. Immediately, the Security Council adopts a resolution
condemning Libya’s actions as “violating international law and constituting a threat to the
peace.” The Resolution, however, stated nothing about using force against Libya. The United
States, pursuant to Congressional authorization, sends armed warships and three fighter
jets to patrol the 200 mile zone. The U.S. warships and Fighter Jets never came closer than
30 miles to the Libyan coast. After a Libyan ship fired at one of the fighter jets, the U.S.
warships and fighter jets returned fire, destroying two Libyan ships. Did the U.S.’s actions
violate the U.N. Charter? Even if the U.S. did not violate the Charter, should the United States
care whether its actions violated the U.N. Charter? (At least 300 words).