Sean K. Driscoll: The New York State Court of Appeals has made clear that the definition of “terrorism” does not encompass gang violence. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Prof. Michael N. Schmitt responds to the recent Human Rights Watch report, Losing Humanity, and argues it blurs the distinction between international humanitarian law’s prohibitions on weapons per se and those on the unlawful use of otherwise lawful weapons. Photo courtesy Sandia National Laboratories

Laura Johnston: Allowing women to serve in combat roles is overdue, and brings the United States in line with the trend in modern democracies. Photo courtesy of Reuters.

Major Charles G. Kels argues that the current standoff over legal regimes applicable to counterterrorism operations misconstrues the law of armed conflict and risks undermining its moral force. Photo courtesy of Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School.

P.J. Blount, Research Counsel at the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law, explores the complicated legal landscape of targeting in space. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Catherine Arney: As one of the busiest travel periods of the year approaches, the trials and tribulations faced by the Transportation Security Administration merit attention and retrospection. Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

Jonathan H. Levy: The United States Navy plays an critical role, and must not be underfunded in dangerous times. Photo courtesy of US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released.

Roderick Miller: America’s national security has been imperiled by its mountain of public debt. Photo courtesy of TIME.

Kait Michaud: The Supreme Court docket for 2012-2013 reveals the continued role that Fourth Amendment questions will play in future constitutional jurisprudence. Until Congress takes action, it is likely that the Court will continue to deny without comment Fourth Amendment cases concerning new technological devices. Photo courtesy of PBS.

Sara Slavin: The prosecution of CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou blurs the line between protecting our national security interests and chilling legitimate whistleblowing.