Civilian Casualties (CIVCAS)

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A child stands near two US army vehicles, which carry American flags. Nearby is a male American military officer.

How the FY23 NDAA Can Strengthen U.S. Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Civilian Harm (Part I)

Overhauling U.S. policies for preventing and responding to civilian harm will require sustained engagement from Congress.
A multi-purpose weapon robot from US Darley Defense makes his way at the Eurosatory international land and airland defence and security trade fair, in Villepinte, a northern suburb of Paris, on June 13, 2022. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP) (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Gendering the Legal Review of New Means and Methods of Warfare

Weapons' use and impact on civilians and combatants varies across genders - meaning States must undertake gender-sensitive reviews of new weapons.
Children look on as smoke billows above the residential area following airstrikes of the Saudi-led coalition targeting Houthi-held military positions on March 07, 2021 in Sana'a, Yemen.

Assessing Civilian Casualties Linked to U.S.-Made Weapons in Yemen

Mechanisms are needed to assess civilian harm resulting from U.S. arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Military members stand during rescue and search operations in front of a damaged facade of a hit by shelling apartment building on June 26, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Protecting Civilians from Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas: A New Political Declaration

On June 17, states gathered at the United Nations (U.N.) in Geneva to discuss the final draft of a potentially ground-breaking political declaration that sets new and express standards…
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet (L) delivers a speech during an urgent debate on the Ukraine conflict at the UN Human Right Council in Geneva on March 3, 2022.

Toward a Better Accounting of the Human Toll in Putin’s War of Aggression

With the war entering its fourth month, the United Nations and others should address the killing of Ukrainian soldiers as well as Russian conscripts who Putin has effectively sent…
An overhead view of the Pentagon building in Washington, DC.

Defense Dept Law of War Manual and Its Unintended Readings: On Civilians Assuming Risk of Harm

The Manual risks creating a false impression that is not intended by the senior Defense Department leadership who produced the Manual — a problem that could significantly undervalue…
SANA'A, YEMEN - SEPTEMBER 19: A Yemeni man looks at graffiti protesting against US drone strikes on September 19, 2018 in Sana'a, Yemen. (Photo by Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)

DoD Needs to Rethink its Civilian Casualty Reporting Mechanism

Current reporting mechanisms are opaque and not user-friendly for civilians seeking to use them in conflict-prone areas.

The Prohibition on Indiscriminate Attacks: The US Position vs. the DoD Law of War Manual

Timely analysis especially given recent U.S. government condemnations of Russia's indiscriminate attacks in Ukraine.
Low angle view of a dome, Capitol Building, Washington DC, USA - stock photo

Congressional Action on Civilian Harm Resulting from U.S. Military Operations: Part I

Congress has introduced two landmark bills aimed at addressing systemic problems with civilian harm.
Low angle view of a dome, Capitol Building, Washington DC, USA - stock photo

Congressional Action on Civilian Harm Resulting from U.S. Military Operations: Part II

Congress has introduced two landmark bills aimed at addressing systemic problems with civilian harm.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller Mike McCord, testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill.

DoD Can’t Move Forward on Civilian Casualties Without Looking Back

"Neglecting past cases would be a grave mistake that could damage the credibility of an otherwise promising process."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer hold a joint press conference following their talks in Moscow on March 24, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Neutrality in Humanitarian Actions Means Talking to All Parties to a Conflict

Criticism of ICRC's diplomacy with Russia misunderstands the role of humanitarian actors.
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