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.
3,526 Articles
The Risks of Permanent War
In a widely shared opinion piece published in the New York Times on September 11th, U.S. Army veteran Joe Quinn observed that for “the past 17 years in Afghanistan, we’ve tried…
A New AUMF Is Not a Solution to “Endless War”
Seventeen years have now passed since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the launching of wars against terrorist groups tied to those attacks. While Congress and the George…
To Undermine the ICC, Bolton’s Targets Extend Way Beyond the Court
If the U.S. pressures states to sign new bilateral agreements shielding American personnel from the ICC, officials and civil society in those countries have options other than…
Bolton, the ICC and the Rohingya
If the U.K. and the U.S. make it a priority, those responsible for the terrible crimes against the Rohingya could be held accountable. But now, with Bolton’s scathing remarks…
Post-9/11 Generation Reaches Enlistment Age in Unmoored ‘War on Terror’
Human Rights First International Legal Counsel Rita Siemion says it's long past time to ensure that war-based authorities are used only when specifically authorized by Congress…
Countries’ Reactions to Bolton’s Attack on the ICC
Here we lay out the reactions of different states that we’ve managed to gather so far after looking for statements by all 123 States Parties to the Rome Statute, as well as some…
Grading the Pompeo Certification on Yemen War and Civilian Protection: Time for Serious Reconsideration
Former State Department official (stepped down in May 2017) and top expert on civilian casualties and targeting operations analyzes the State Department's certification to Congress,…
The Legal Line Crossed in Bolton’s Attack on the ICC
National Security Adviser John Bolton’s Sept. 10 speech on U.S. policy towards the International Criminal Court (ICC) – prompted by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber’s impending…
Why Bolton’s Assault on the ICC Is Not in U.S. Interests
As a personal crusade, John Bolton’s frontal attack on the International Criminal Court (ICC) is not surprising. He led the charge against the ICC early in the George W. Bush…
Rear Admiral Hutson: Why Senators Should Vote No on Kavanaugh
Why the U.S. military and national security are poorly served by Kavanaugh's support for extreme Presidential Powers.
It’s a Start – Why the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration Matter
Both documents contain significant weaknesses. But they emerge at a time of urgency and provide a route for the crucial discussions that will still be needed going forward, because…
The UK Government Needs to Learn that Secrecy is Not the Answer to Increased Litigation
Following the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, large scale deployments of British troops on combat missions seem unlikely until national memories are healed and budgets are rebalanced.…