Armed Conflicts

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Wide shot of the International Court of Justice courtroom, with judges seated in a row behind a long elevated bench beneath a large mural, and rows of delegates and observers seated at desks facing the bench, listening to ongoing proceedings.

Courts in Wartime: A Level Playing Field for Peace

Although international courts have limits, they can do what few other peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms can when it comes to ending war.
A bus in a US military convoy transporting Islamic State group detainees being transferred to Iraq from Syria moves along a road on the outskirts of Qahtaniyah in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on February 7, 2026. Iraq's judiciary announced on February 2 that it had begun investigations into more than 1,300 Islamic State group detainees who were transferred from Syria as part of a US operation. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP via Getty Images)

A Legal Black Hole: Does Iraq Have the Right to Detain Prisoners Transferred from Syria?

The Global Coalition Against Daesh faces legal and moral strain over mass detainee transfers from Syria to Iraq, testing international law and policy.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing

Five War Powers Takeaways from the Senate’s Venezuela Hearing

The Senate's hearing with Rubio offered little solace to those concerned about the use of force against Venezuela.
Two young men roll a truck wheel away from the camera between two lines of trucks at the left and right of the image.

How the U.N. Can Show Renewed Leadership on Peace Efforts in 2026

To support peace efforts, the U.N. will need to show that it can adapt to the changing world order and not mourn the old order.
CARIBBEAN SEA - SEPTEMBER 22: In this handout provided by the U.S. Navy, An AH-1Z Cobra, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), fires an air-to-ground missile (AGM) 114N during a live-fire exercise on September 22, 2025 in the Caribbean sea.

Using an Unmarked Aircraft to Attack an Alleged Drug Boat: Is it Perfidy?

Did the Sept. 2 strike on suspected drug traffickers using an unmarked aircraft violate the prohibition on perfidy, or other LOAC rules, had there been an armed conflict?
Members of the Delegation of The Gambia Monday 12 January 2026 Photograph: UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek. Courtesy of the ICJ. All rights reserved.

Proving Genocide: Party Presentation

Myanmar appears to have changed its position in Gambia v. Myanmar, a historic genocide case before the ICJ. This change may prove decisive in the court's pending decision. 
NATO Leaders join King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands for a family photo as they participate in the 2025 NATO summit on June 24, 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by Haiyun Jiang-Pool/Getty Images)

The North Atlantic Treaty and a U.S. Attack on Denmark

Would NATO have to defend Denmark if the United States attempted to seize Greenland? Article 5 suggests other allies are obligated to come to Denmark's defense if requested.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the UN, holds public hearings (by video link) on the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar in the case concerning "Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide" (The Gambia v. Myanmar) at the Peace Palace in The Hague, from 21 to 28 February 2022. Sessions are held under the presidency of Judge Joan E. Donoghue, President of the Court.

Elements of Genocide: Intent to Kill

The ICJ should explicitly interpret ‘intentionally’ killing members of a group to include dolus directus and dolus eventualis in the case brought by Gambia against Myanmar.
People watch the smoke rising from Port of La Guaira after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on January 03, 2026 in La Guaira, Venezuela. According to some reports, explosions were heard in Caracas and other cities near airports and military bases around 2 am. US President Donald Trump later announce that his country's military had launched a "large-scale" attack on Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

U.S. Intelligence in a Post-Maduro Venezuela

Intelligence has a central role to play in capitalizing on the successful capture of Maduro and stabilizing post-Maduro Venezuela, demonstrating U.S. capabilities and resolve.
Trump is standing at a wooden lectern with the presidential seal on the front of it. The officials are arrayed behind him, against a dark blue backdrop with an American flag and a presidential flag between the backdrop and the officials. All the men are wearing suits, except Caine, who is wearing a blue Air Force uniform.

Trump’s New Year Foreign Policy: The Risk that the Bold and the Bad Outweigh the Constructive

Trump’s foreign policy remains an inconsistent array of initiatives and adventures: bold in Latin America, bad in Greenland, yet often constructive on Ukrainian security.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the UN, holds public hearings (by video link) on the preliminary objections raised by Myanmar in the case concerning "Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide" (The Gambia v. Myanmar) at the Peace Palace in The Hague, from 21 to 28 February 2022. (via UN Photo)

Proving Genocide: Patterns of Conduct

As the ICJ hears Gambia v. Myanmar, the Court should continue to consider “patterns of conduct,” while weighing this evidence with other sources for genocidal intent.
Picture of fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex

International Law and the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement Operations in Venezuela

Experts survey the international law issues of Operation Absolute Resolve.
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