Armed Conflict
Civilian Harm
365 Articles

How to Acknowledge Forced Marriage as a Standalone Crime in the Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty
Adding forced marriage to the draft Crimes Against Humanity Convention would codify a distinct international crime, reflect its severe harms, and improve legal clarity.

Ukrainian Children Under Russian Control: Why Tracing, Return, Reintegration, and Justice Must Be Addressed Together
Return alone cannot be the only framework through which the international community and Ukrainian authorities address the issue of Ukrainian children under Russian control.

An Urgent Call to Break the Cycle of Division and Exclusion in Syria
Sectarianism in Syria persists, and reinforces a cycle of division. A constitutional process that does not grapple with sectarianism will only reinforce it.

Fleeing Sudan’s War: Refugees Detail Three Years of Trauma
Three years into Sudan’s war, famine spreads, cities fall under siege, and millions flee. Refugees recount a litany of losses, with no end in sight.

Widespread and Systematic Disappearances in Mexico: An Urgent Call for UN Action Under the Convention on Enforced Disappearances
The UN General Assembly and Mexico have the unique opportunity to ensure full realization of the rights of victims and reduce enforced disappearances. They should take it.
The Just Security Podcast: Sudan Enters Its Fourth Year of Civil War
Quscondy Abdulshafi joins host Viola Gienger to discuss how Sudan got to this point, how the international community has responded, and where to go next.

Mined and Blockaded: Iran’s Unlawful Mining and the U.S. Port Blockade
If transit passage rights wither away in the Strait of Hormuz, then every chokepoint in the world is potentially exposed.

Amid Shaky Ceasefire, War in Iran Is Starving Sudan
The Iran war did not create Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, but it is accelerating it, deepening it, and narrowing the window to stop it.

Continuing Crisis in Strait of Hormuz: Why Iran’s Hold is Illegal and U.S. Military Force Alone Fails
Former US Navy Commander, JAGC Mark Nevitt provides a legal and operational update on the Strait of Hormuz crisis, including Iran’s military role and imposition of tolls.

Reprisals and the Paradox of Trust: Why Threats of Retaliation in the Iran War are Unlikely to Work
Reprisals demand trust between adversaries, yet they often spark escalation. Their ban under international law is both moral and practical.

The Dangers of Hegseth’s “Warfighter” Ethos
Hegseth may present his version of a warfighter as the paragon of U.S. military power, but for all his talk, he fails to recognize the true strengths of the armed forces.

Ukraine’s Long-Term Landmine Problem
April 4th is the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It's a sad reminder that it will likely take decades to demine Ukraine.