Use of Force
239 Articles

Permanently Winding Down the War on Terror Requires Greater Transparency
Increased transparency is needed to ensure the United States makes a definitive turn away from endless war.

The Ukraine War and the Crime of Aggression: How to Fill the Gaps in the International Legal System
An expert analysis of the diplomatic and legal options for creating a tribunal for the crime of waging a war of aggression against Ukraine.

Війна в Україні та злочин агресії: Як заповнити прогалини в міжнародній правовій системі
An expert analysis of the diplomatic and legal options for creating a tribunal for the crime of waging a war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Limits of Remote Warfare: Aligning Values with Interests
The Biden administration should be more circumspect in its reliance on lethal force as a foreign policy tool outside of traditional war zones.

Poland’s Position on International Law and Cyber Operations: Sovereignty and Third-Party Countermeasures
Poland's positions push the discussion forward on contested areas of law.

How Support to Partner Forces Enables Secret War
With security cooperation as a means of pursuing U.S. military objectives becoming more frequent, Department of Defense-led security cooperation, particularly under §§ 333, 127e,…

What the White House Use of Force Policy Means for the War in Somalia
In principle, the new policy tightens safeguards for airstrikes and special operation raids. But it contains loopholes that will likely allow business as usual for USAFRICOM in…

The Biden Drone Playbook: The Elusive Promise of Restrained Counterterrorism
The new policy guidance on direct action is welcome, but more work is needed to fulfill the promise of restrained counterterrorism.

What Was the International Legal Basis for the Strike on al-Zawahiri?
Serious questions need to be addressed in order to establish that both the killing of Zawahiri, and the use of force against Afghanistan, were not violations of international law.

Top Experts Raise Questions Regarding Legal Basis of Zawahiri Strike
A note from co-editors-in-chief Tess Bridgeman and Ryan Goodman: Although Just Security is on hiatus this week, we wanted to be sure to examine and reflect on the U.S. airstrike…
Still at War: The United States in Iraq
There are both benefits and risks to maintaining a U.S. military presence in Iraq.
Biden’s New Counterterrorism Policy in Somalia: Cautions and Unknowns
More information is needed to assess the strategic and legal basis for redeploying U.S. troops to Somalia.