International and Foreign

Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapakse and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, neither who wear face masks, are surrounded by others, many who wear face masks, as they leave the new cabinet swearing-in ceremony at the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth in the ancient hill capital of Kandy, some 116 km from Colombo on August 12, 2020.

When War Criminals Run the Government: Not Too Late for the International Community to Vet Sri Lankan Officials

Developing such a list of individuals would signal to survivors some measure of recognition of the atrocities they have suffered.

Mar. 16, 2021 Sondra Anton and Tyler Giannini

office, Dragan Covic, addresses the media after voting, in Mostar, on October 7, 2018, as Bosnia and Herzegovina holds it's general elections.

Is the US Doubling Down on Division in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

A dangerously misguided policy embracing a nefarious election gambit threatens Joe Biden's otherwise proud legacy dating to the 1990s war.

Mar. 15, 2021 Kurt Bassuener and Valery Perry

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg leaves a joint press conference with Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern at Parliament in Wellington on August 6, 2019.

Flexible Partnerships Can Help Make NATO Fit for Purpose

As the US focuses more on domestic issues and challenges in the Asia-Pacific, other members and European partners will need to step up..

Mar. 12, 2021 Steven Keil and Sophie Arts

President Jovenel Moise sits at the Presidential Palace during an interview with AFP in Port-au-Prince, October 22, 2019.

In Haiti’s Political Crisis, US Should Support Democracy and Human Rights

Activists say the Biden administration should reverse its support of President Moïse's illegal, abusive rule and consult civil society on a way ahead.

Mar. 11, 2021 Pierre Espérance and Rosy Auguste Ducéna

An Aerostar medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by AZAD Systems, joint venture between Azerbaijan and Israel, takes part in a military parade marking the end of the Nagorno Karabakh military conflict on December 10, 2020 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Potential Gains for Israel After Azerbaijan’s Victory in Nagorno-Karabakh

Benefits might include geopolitical positioning vis-a-vis Iran, more transparent ties with Azerbaijan, maybe even strengthened diplomacy with Armenia.

Mar. 10, 2021 Daniel Edelstein

A graphic illustration of Germany with a triangular grid pattern symbolizing virtual connections.

Germany’s Positions on International Law in Cyberspace Part II

Germany issues major statement on use of force and International Humanitarian Law in cyberspace, analyzed here by leading expert Professor Michael Schmitt.

Mar. 10, 2021 Michael Schmitt

Empty vials that contained a dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine against the COVID-19 coronavirus lie on a table as South Africa proceeds with its inoculation campaign at the Klerksdorp Hospital on February 18, 2021.

Fair Shots for All: At WTO, US Must Prioritize Vaccine Access for Lower-Income Countries Over Drug Company Profits

The World Trade Organization this week will discuss a South Africa-India proposal to waive intellectual property rights on vaccines to expand production.

Mar. 9, 2021 Joanne Lin and Deniz Yüksel

The State Council building in downtown Beirut on Oct. 29, 2019 as seen from a distance at the height of protests against Lebanon's ruling class. Banners unfurled from its windows contain pro-revolutionary slogans.

“Red Lines” in Beirut Blast Investigation: How Exactly Lebanese Politicians Escape Accountability

The effort to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for last summer's deadly explosion in Beirut reveals the convoluted system of impunity constructed by the Lebanese…

Mar. 9, 2021 Tess Graham and Elena Hodges

Relatives and mourners perform funeral prayers over the coffin of one of the three female media workers shot to death in two separate attacks, in Jalalabad on March 3, 2021.

International Consensus Needed for the Taliban’s “Non-Return Through Force”

With a May 1 deadline looming for the withdrawal of the remaining U.S. troops in Afghanistan, stalled intra-Afghan “peace talks” in Doha, and a dramatic rise in violence across…

Mar. 9, 2021 Farkhondeh Akbari

A phone show the Garmin Connect software with an error message that reads, “Server Maintenance: Sorry, we are down for maintenance. Check back shortly.” and “We are currently experiencing an outage that affects Garmin.com and Garmin Connect. This outage also affects our call centers, and we are currently unable to receive any calls, emails, or online chats. We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible and apologize for this inconvenience.” A watch that is clearly not working and has a dark screen is shown next to the phone with these messages.

Germany’s Positions on International Law in Cyberspace Part I

Germany issues major statement on cyberspace and international law, analyzed here by leading expert Professor Michael Schmitt.

Mar. 9, 2021 Michael Schmitt

People gather at a candle-light vigil on March 04, 2021 in Bangkok, Thailand, for anti-coup protesters who have been killed in Myanmar following the military coup on February 1st. They carry flowers, candles, and flags and banners.

National Security This Week at the United Nations (Feb 26-March 5)

Myanmar coup may be on Security Council agenda; ICC opens investigation on Palestine; COVAX delivers vaccine in Africa; and more in the weekly roundup.

Mar. 5, 2021 Sruthi Venkatachalam

Sri Lanka Army Commander Shavendra Silva reviewing troops headed to Mali as U.N. peacekeepers on Nov. 6, 2019, at the at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Headquarters at Boyagane, Sri Lanka.

UN Should Suspend Sri Lanka from Peacekeeping Over Human Rights Abuses

The government has failed in its international obligations to investigate and prosecute crimes, and has promoted alleged war criminals to high levels.

Mar. 5, 2021 Yasmin Sooka