US Military
324 Articles

Here’s What the New DoD Policy on Civilian Harm Should Include
It should standardize good practice and set the bar where it belongs: safeguarding civilian life from the effects of U.S. military operations.

Grading DOD’s Annual Civilian Casualties Report: “Incomplete”
The new information demonstrates how much progress the department has made and yet how much of a paradigm shift is still needed for full accountability.

Iranian Gunboat Harassment and the Rules of Engagement
What to make of Trump's order to “shoot down and destroy” lranian boats that harass US vessels. International law and Standing Rules of Engagement place significant limits.

Great Expectations: AFRICOM’s New Quarterly Report on Civilian Casualties
A look at circumstances under which civilian casualties may occur in Somalia, why the US military may be under-reporting the numbers, and what to do about it.

What Counts As Sufficient Transparency on Civilian Casualties in Somalia
Former National Security Council and Defense Department official writes about upcoming civilian casualties report from AFRICOM, and what will still be missing.

US Ramps Up War in Somalia, Killing More Civilians
While much of the world tries to fight a global pandemic that has already killed thousands, the U.S. military has been secretly stepping up its war in Somalia, killing civilians…

Rube Goldberg and Military Justice
The decisional layer cake that Congress has put in place over the years, including on sexual assault, is rife with potential for yet more command influence.

Cooler Heads Prevailed Within the Navy after Pensacola Shooting
In the three months since Saudi Air Force 2nd Lt. Mohammed Alshamrani shot and killed three U.S. Navy personnel and wounded eight others at the Naval Air Station (NAS) in Pensacola,…

The Complex Policy Questions Raised by Nuclear Energy’s Role in the Future of Warfare
Military planners are eyeing a new generation of energy-dense nuclear reactors to power future high-energy weapons, despite potential policy and legal challenges to doing so.

The U.S.-Taliban Accord: Can the Afghan Government Rise to the Occasion?
Intra-Afghan talks are set to start March 10, leaving little time for the Afghan government to organize a negotiation team, even though they've had months to prepare.

What to Watch For in White House’s Annual Report on Use of Military Force
The report is due Sunday, March 1, and here are the key legal and policy issues to keep a sharp eye on.

After Soleimani Killing, Iran and Its Proxies Recalibrate in Iraq
Understanding the motivations and capabilities of leading Iranian-backed militia units is vital for an effective US and Iraqi response to likely violence in the coming months.