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A black colored International Law book sits with a judges gavel on top of it on desk in the library. The book's spine has "International Law" written in gold letters and the gavel is made of dark brown wood.

Assessing the Civilian and Political Institutions of Armed Non-State Actors under International Law

International law must better understand and account for the realities of civilian life in territory under armed group control.
Ugandan soldiers of African Union's peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) patrol in Merka, Southern Coastal Somalia, on September 19, 2019. (Photo TINA SMOLE/AFP via Getty Images)

Before Leaving Somalia, African Union Should Provide Compensation for Civilian Harm

The mission serves as an important precedent for others, so the international community must provide funding as a gesture of respect.

Unhuman Killings: AI and Civilian Harm in Gaza

Israel’s expanded use of AI in the war in Gaza may partially explain widespread civilian harm.
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…

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.
An overhead view of the Pentagon building in Washington, DC.

Clear Error in the Defense Department’s Law of War Manual: On Presumptions of Civilian Status

This article is the first in a new project at Just Security that assesses the U.S. Department of Defense’s Law of War Manual with a goal of providing constructive opportunities…
S. Army (retired) General Lloyd Austin looks forward after being formally nominated to be Secretary of the Department of Defense by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden at the Queen Theatre on Dec. 9, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware.

A Big Step Forward or Running in Place?: The Pentagon’s New Policy on Civilian Casualties

New Pentagon effort to respond to civilian harm is encouraging, but DOD needs to demonstrate leadership, scope the problem correctly, and address the growing credibility gap to…
A gray, black, and white aerial image of two compounds surrounded by trees. One building is in the middle of green crosshairs from US video camera.

The Al-Qurayshi Operation and Minimization of Civilian Casualties

US officials’ emphasis on minimization of civilian casualties in an operation against such a high value target deserves special attention.
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 30: U.S. Department of Defense Press Secretary John Kirby speaks at a press briefing (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images).

America Needs a War on Terror Transparency Act

The Pentagon has three months to investigate the disturbing New York Times report that the military conducted and covered up airstrikes in Baghuz, Syria that killed up to 64 civilians.…
Standing at a podium with the seal of the Pentagon behind him. Defense Department Press Secretary John Kirby speaks during a press briefing on September 3, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia.

Tragic Mistakes: Breaking the Military Culture of Impunity

How framing civilian harm in U.S. military operations -- as a “tragic mistake” -- hides the systemic failure that requires institutional reform.
Large buildings housing the Centcom facility in Florida with pine trees in front.

Centcom’s Full Statement on Baghuz Strike: Annotated

Our co-editor-in-chief identifies and annotates the 20 most significant elements of Centcom's statement.
Smoke billows after shelling on the Islamic State group's last holdout of Baghouz, in the eastern Syrian Deir Ezzor province on March 3, 2019. (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Questions on the Baghuz Strikes

A list of specific questions for members of Congress, reporters, and investigators to ask about the strike. 
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