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.

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3,331 Articles
Various countries' flags in front of UN building and fence with UN symbol

National Security at the United Nations This Week (Feb. 12-Feb. 16)

Developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security, human rights, and the rule of law.
The episode title appears with sound waves behind it.

The Just Security Podcast: A Syrian War Crimes Verdict in a Dutch Court

A Dutch court recently convicted a man of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Syrian civil war.
Aerial Top View Red Oil Ship Tanker Full Speed

Key Questions in U.S. Cyber Attack on “Iranian Spy Ship”

What was the nature of the operation? How is Iran likely to respond? What are the implications for conflict escalation, or de-escalation?
Men walk along a street ravaged by bombing

Here’s What You Need to Know About the Pentagon’s New Civilian Harm Policy

In December 2023, the Department of Defense (DOD) quietly released its Instruction on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR DOD-I), which was mandated by Section 936 of the…
Army Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso's new president, arrives at a ceremony for the 35th anniversary of the assassination of revolutionary president Thomas Sankara, in Ouagadougou, on October 15, 2022. Traore had taken power in a coup two weeks earlier (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty Images)

As Senate Considers New Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Human Rights Focus Would Strengthen US Policy

As government forces battle armed groups in Burkina Faso, civilians face daily abuses, even death, amid a range of violations of their security and their property. At least 6,201…
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), talks to reporters with (L-R) Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)

Not Reassuring: NSM-20 and the Limits of Law-of-War Assurances in the Transfer of U.S. Arms

Analysis of how Biden's National Security Memorandum (NSM-20) may operate in regulating the transfer of U.S. arms amid concerns of international humanitarian law violations.
Palestinian children collect food at a donation point provided by a charity group in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on November 30, 2023, amid a truce in fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. One boy reaching for a plate of food looks gaunt. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

How Israel Took the Terrorists’ Bait

To thwart Hamas’s strategy, Israel must commit to protect civilians. And Biden must defend human rights and international law with action.
F-35 fighter aircraft against blue sky with two white contrails.

Dutch Appeals Court, Finding Clear Risk of IHL Violations, Orders Government to Halt Military Deliveries to Israel

A Dutch appeals court has ordered the government to halt delivery of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel within seven days.

On Civilians’ Return to North Gaza: What International Humanitarian Law Requires

A leading legal scholar analyzes international humanitarian law obligations of Israel to permit Palestinian civilians to return to Northern Gaza.
Various countries' flags in front of UN building and fence with UN symbol

National Security at the United Nations This Week (Feb. 5-Feb. 9)

Developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security, human rights, and the rule of law.
The photo shows destroyed buildings in Gaza City.

Who Will Govern Gaza? Lessons From the U.N.’s 1957 Experiment

Some reflection on the U.N.’s largely forgotten experience as governor of Gaza may prove useful for today’s much more severe crisis.
People lay floral tributes on February 5, 2024, at Sarajevo's main produce market, "Markale," during a commemoration marking the 30th anniversary of the first of the two "Markale massacres" during the siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian War. A single mortar shell fired from Bosnian Serb artillery positions onto the market killed 68 civilians and injured 144 on February 5, 1994. (Photo by ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP via Getty Images)

A Welcome US Course Adjustment – But Now the Western Balkans Needs a Full Policy Recalibration

Recent warnings to Bosnian separatists and other obstructionists are helpful, but deeper changes are needed. The upcoming Biden-Scholz meeting is a chance.
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