Civilian Harm
227 Articles

Not Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Historical Commissions Are Crucial for Syria
Transitional justice approaches in Syria must not isolate periods of oppression from the broader contexts that enabled them.

U.S., U.K. Won’t Stop UAE’s Support to Sudan’s RSF by Tiptoeing Around It
Governments and the private sector need to find the courage to apply reputational pressure on the UAE for supporting a force the U.S. cites for genocide in Sudan.

Beyond the Vanishing Point? What the Destruction of Civilian Infrastructure in Armed Conflicts Reveals about the State and the Role of IHL Today
There is a widening gap between international humanitarian law and the realities of civilians affected by armed conflicts.

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.

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.
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.

How the Law of War Can Reckon with Longer-Term Harms of Attacks on Health
When war affects complex and interconnected civilian systems, the full measure of civilian harm lies in what comes after the blast.