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An Iranian woman walks beneath a poster honouring the victims of a Ukrainian passenger jet accidentally shot down in the capital last week, in front of the Amirkabir University in the capital Tehran, on January 13, 2020.

Iran Plane Downing: Likely a Violation of International Humanitarian Law (But Not a War Crime)

Iran most likely violated the law of armed conflict in shooting down Ukraine Airlines PS752 but did not commit a war crime.
A banner with the ICRC emblem on it.

Targeted Killing of General Soleimani: Why the Laws of War Should Apply, and Why it Matters

In her thought provoking and thorough piece, Agnes Callamard addresses – among many other issues – the question whether the US strike against General Qassem Soleimani was subject…
The number 30 on a calendar is surrounded by a big red box.

The 30-Day Clock: Recent Law Requires Trump Admin. to Make Full Public Report on Soleimani and Shahlai Strikes

A classified war powers report won't do it. A formal, public explanation of the facts and legal justifications is legally required thanks to Congress’ having recently passed…
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sits with Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft at the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly on September 24, 2019 in New York City.

U.S. Legal Defense of the Soleimani Strike at the United Nations: A Critical Assessment

A critical annotation of the principal claims in the United States' formal letter to the U.N. justifying the Soleimani strike.
People demonstrate against United States entering a war with Iran on the East Front of the US Capitol on January 9, 2020 in Washington, United States. A sign reads, “No war with Iran!”

How to Recover a Role for Congress and the Courts in Decisions to Wage War

A recent set of cases on congressional standing opens up an opportunity to restore Congress’ recourse to the courts for serious war powers violations—if Congress is willing…
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo leaves the stage to US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper during a briefing on the past 72 hours events in Mar a Lago, Palm Beach, Florida on December 29, 2019.

Why the 2002 AUMF Does Not Apply to Iran

There is no congressional statute authorizing military attacks on Iran.
Mark Esper

Mark Esper vs. Mark Esper on the 2002 AUMF and Iran

In his recent nomination hearing for Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper told Senator Duckworth the 2002 AUMF would not cover military action against Iran.
Trump speaks from the White House on January 08, 2020 in Washington, DC. Pence, Pompeo, Esper and others stand around him.

Lawful Self-Defense vs. Revenge Strikes: Scrutinizing Iran and U.S. Uses of Force under International Law

Here's what Congress should examine to determine if the U.S. strike complied with the law that we as a nation and our military champion. The same law that applies to Iran's actions.
: Tourists gaze upon the Gate of All Nations at the ancient Persepolis archeological site on May 30, 2014 in Persepolis, Iran.

Trump’s Threat to Target Iranian Cultural Sites: Illegal Under International, Domestic and Military Law

In response to a potential Iranian armed retaliation following the United States’ killing of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. military…
Members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force chant anti-US slogans during a protest over the killings of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, on January 6, 2020 in Karrada in central Baghdad. They raise flags and scarves into the air.

As Conflict with Iran Intensifies, the U.S. Intelligence Community Is Still Leaderless

At a time when policy decisions that should be based on intelligence assessments are being made that bring us ever-closer to full-blown war, it’s critical that we have leadership…
Iranians gather around a vehicle carrying the coffins of slain major general Qassem Soleimani and others, as they pay homage in the northeastern city of Mashhad on January 5, 2020.

The Targeted Killing of General Soleimani: Its Lawfulness and Why It Matters

Analyzing the killing of Soleimani from an international law standpoint matters a great deal. Reasserting the primacy of international law in such times of crisis is a solemn and…
Side by side images of the remnants of the U.S. airstrike still on fire that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis on Jan. 3, 2020 outside the Baghdad International Airport and the strike in the dark sky.

Iran’s Unlawful Reprisal (and Ours)

"By Iran’s own standard, last night’s operation was unlawful." So was the US strike on Soleimani. Time to stop this cycle of unilateral illegal acts.
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