Armed Conflict
Civilian Harm
306 Articles
Protected Persons and the ‘Geographic Nexus’ Requirement in the DoD Law of War Manual
A critical assessment of how the Department of Defense Law of War Manual narrowly defines "protected persons" under the Geneva Conventions.
Planning Ahead: How the US May Recover Its Diplomatic Standing at the UN After the Gaza War
Amid the tensions, the Biden administration can try to win back some goodwill with careful steps to bolster a fragile multilateral system.
Why the ICJ Ruling Misses the Mark: Mitigating Civilian Harm With An Enemy Engaged in Human Shielding
Former CENTCOM Commander General (ret.) Joseph Votel and Professor Claire Finkelstein critically analyze South Africa's positions before the International Court of Justice in…
Finding Light in the Darkness: A Meditation on Remembrance
(Adapted from an address delivered today at a joint Muslim-Jewish observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Srebrenica Memorial Center in Potoćari, Bosnia and…
The Just Security Podcast: ICJ Provisional Measures in South Africa v. Israel
Three experts join the show to unpack the ICJ provisional measures in South Africa's genocide case against Israel.
Congress Must Strengthen Oversight on Intelligence Sharing and Civilian Harm
Congress must do more to track how intelligence sharing with allies and partners contributes to civilian harm.
No Longer the Silent Victim: How Ukrainian Prosecutors Are Revitalizing Environmental War Crime Law
Prosecutions for environmental destruction have been notably absent from war crimes trials to date. In Ukraine, this is about to change.
Signals of Support for Gender Justice in the Draft Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity
States' written comments cover issues such as the slave trade, gender apartheid, and strengthening protections for victims and survivors.
The Principle of Proportionality in the DoD Law of War Manual
Two key issues in Department of Defense Law of War Manual on harm to non-combatants.
Revisiting International Law in the Gaza Context
When it comes to the laws of war, a substantial number of commentators can play the notes but not the music. This essay examines the Hamas-Israel War in light of this ever-evolving…
The “War Reserve Stockpile Allies – Israel” Explained & Why Congress Should Not Expand It
Congress should not remove restrictions on transfers to and from the Defense Department's War Reserves Stockpile in Israel.
The Role of the United Nations in Atrocity Response: Limited, But Not Obsolete
States must invest in “alternative” sites for atrocity prevention because “primary” sites such as the Security Council are foreclosed.