Armed Conflict
Civilian Harm
367 Articles

The Law of Armed Conflict and the Attack on Kyiv’s Monastery of the Caves and Dormition Cathedral
The strike illustrates a grim pattern in Russia’s conduct of the war – the systematic destruction of Ukrainian religious and cultural sites.

Sudan Has Become a Transnational Marketplace of Violence: Effective Responses Require Targeting the Sources
The most consequential drivers of the war in Sudan are foreign states, private military contractors, and transnational criminal networks.

Making Syria’s Transitional Justice Process Meaningful for Survivors and Communities
One of the central questions facing Syria is whether its emerging justice system can earn the trust of those in whose name it is being built.

US-Central African Republic Deportation Agreement Escalates Attack on Immigrants and Puts Lives at Risk
Congress should demand transparency and require the U.S. government to publicly release third-country deportation agreements, including with the Central African Republic.

The NBA’s Genocide Problem
The NBA’s partnership with the United Arab Emirates is laundering the reputation of a regime that supports a militia responsible for committing genocide in Sudan.

Congress Can Act Now on U.S. DoD Inspector’s Report Revealing Violations of Civilian Harm Policy and Law
A Defense Department Inspector General report shows the Pentagon’s failure to prioritize congressionally mandated civilian protection mechanisms amid U.S. military action.

The Search for the Missing in Syria: Learning from the Past
The head of Syria's Independent Institution of Missing Persons (IIMP) offers analysis and recommendations for a meaningful justice process.

International Accountability for U.S. Crimes in the Caribbean and Pacific
If no one acts, U.S. crimes in the Caribbean and Pacific will embolden other bad actors and encourage more violations of international law.

Starvation on Trial: Koblenz and the Case of Yarmouk
A trial in Germany concerning the siege of Yarmouk in Syria tests the application of universal jurisdiction to patterns of siege warfare and civilian deprivation.

The Netherlands Sets New Path for Investigating Evidence of Civilian Harm in Modern Conflict
A Dutch probe into a 2016 Mosul airstrike exposes how outdated intelligence and weak assessments led to civilian deaths, offering key lessons for accountability.

Building Justice After Assad: Syria’s Accountability Dilemma and Pathways to Justice
Syria’s first post-Assad trials spark hope and concern, as legal gaps and due process risks challenge efforts to deliver credible, inclusive justice for victims.
The Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas Part V
Tess Bridgeman and Rachel Goldbrenner are joined by Rebecca Ingber and Brian Finucane to examine escalating U.S. strikes on suspected drug traffickers.