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Armed Conflict

Just Security’s expert authors provide analysis on the legal, policy, and strategic dimensions of armed conflict, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, counterterrorism operations, conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, and other armed conflicts across the globe, with a focus on international humanitarian law, war crimes and accountability, mitigating and remedying civilian harm, and the humanitarian impacts of warfare.

Civilian HarmIsrael-Hamas WarRussia-UkraineSudanLaw of Armed Conflict/IHLUse of Force
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3,331 Articles
Circle of delegates at UN Security Council

Putin Can’t Destroy the International Order by Himself

To assess the strength of the international order, look not just at Putin's decision to break the law, but also at global response.
Feb. 24, 2022 and

Expert Backgrounder: NATO Response Options to Potential Russia Cyber Attacks

Top cyber law expert explains NATO member states' legal options in event of different forms of Russian cyber attacks in wake of Ukraine invasion.
Feb. 24, 2022

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Is Essentially Not About NATO

Instead of buying Putin's claimed sense of military threat, theorists of realism should see the driver in his disdain for democracy.
Feb. 24, 2022 and
Standing before an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in Monday night, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya fist bumps Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the UN, as US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations Mona Juul look on. February 21, 2022.

Russia’s “Occupation by Proxy” of Eastern Ukraine – Implications Under the Geneva Conventions

All state parties to the Geneva Conventions now have a role to play via enforcing grave breaches regime.
Feb. 22, 2022
A Yemeni man looks at graffiti protesting against US drone strikes on September 19, 2018 in Sana'a, Yemen.

What I Told Congress about U.S. Lethal Strikes

Congress should take steps to end America’s war-based approach to counterterrorism policy.
Feb. 17, 2022

A Transitional Period Constitutional Question in Sudan

Sudan's military derailed a transition to civilian control in October. The former Minister of Justice takes a deep dive into the legal ambiguity in key founding documents that…
Feb. 16, 2022

Ukraine: Unleashing the Rhetorical Dogs of War

Sending more arms to Ukraine offers false hope and avoids needed compromise, writes Barry Posen.
Feb. 15, 2022
(L-R) Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel-General Alexander Fomin, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Ryabkov and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during the NATO-Russia Council meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, on January 12, 2022.  (Photo by OLIVIER HOSLET/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

NATO Must Boost Hybrid Warfare Defenses

As the Russia-Ukraine crisis escalates, NATO must get serious about building resilience against hybrid warfare.
Feb. 15, 2022

In 11th-Hour Diplomacy, US and Europe Try to Stop Putin From Escalating War on Ukraine

Despite the sullen Kremlin attitude so far, there may be more room to advance the diplomatic track with a combination of carrots and sticks.
Feb. 13, 2022
An overhead view of the Pentagon building in Washington, DC.

Clear Error in the Defense Department’s Law of War Manual: On Presumptions of Civilian Status

This article is the first in a new project at Just Security that assesses the U.S. Department of Defense’s Law of War Manual with a goal of providing constructive opportunities…
Feb. 9, 2022
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) speaks with his Belarus counterpart Viktor Khrenin (R) prior to a meeting with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenka in Minsk on February 3, 2022. The United States said on February 2, 2022 it was deploying thousands of troops to bolster NATO forces in eastern Europe, ratcheting up its military response to fears that Russia could invade Ukraine, as tensions have been further aggravated by plans for joint military exercises between Russia and neighboring Belarus, where Washington claims Moscow is preparing to send 30,000 troops. (Photo by MAXIM GUCHEK/BELTA/AFP via Getty Images)

Retired Russian Generals Criticize Putin Over Ukraine, Renew Call for His Resignation

Censors haven't yet blocked the rhetorical attack from the assembly of hardline veterans, giving the message space and time to spread.
Feb. 9, 2022
S. Army (retired) General Lloyd Austin looks forward after being formally nominated to be Secretary of the Department of Defense by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden at the Queen Theatre on Dec. 9, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware.

A Big Step Forward or Running in Place?: The Pentagon’s New Policy on Civilian Casualties

New Pentagon effort to respond to civilian harm is encouraging, but DOD needs to demonstrate leadership, scope the problem correctly, and address the growing credibility gap to…
Feb. 8, 2022
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