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

It’s Time to Establish a Syria Victims Fund
Syrian victims continue to look forward to a fair political solution that ends the dictatorship, paves the way for transitional justice, allows the displaced to return to their…

No State Should Profit from Violations in Syria. Instead, Direct Monetary Recovery to Victims.
It is the Syrian community that should answer key questions about any fund’s design and purpose, including the victim class it serves, the type of support it provides, when it…

Trump Must Pay $450m Civil Fraud Judgment, But Now Avoids Corp Death Penalty
Trump must pay more than $350 million in “ill-gotten” gains—and can't run a New York business for three years, a judge ruled on Friday - but also clawed back an earlier remedy.

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 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.

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?

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…

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…

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.

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.

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.