Online Edition
Ukraine’s Crisis: Implications for the Law of Armed Conflict
Emory Law Professor Laurie R. Blank argues that the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates the importance of sustaining the strict separation between the law of armed conflict (LOAC) and the jus ad bellum, a low threshold for recognition of international armed conflict, and the principle of distinction in today’s conflicts.
Hostage-Takers and Fleeing Felons: Questioning Two Analogies to the “Imminent Threat” of Terrorist Attack from Abroad
Amien Kacou, attorney at GPI Law PLLC, argues that analogies from the use of lethal force against hostage-takers or fleeing felons to justify targeted killings of suspected al Qaeda terrorists are misguided. Image courtesy of Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 2.5.
Crimean Diplomacy
Katherine Earle of AEI discusses the recent Crimean referendum to join Russia and the associated security implications. Image courtesy of Getty Images.
Monthly National Security Forum: February 2014
The Harvard National Security Journal is launching a new initiative. Each month, panelists will comment on a question posed by the NSJ staff. This month’s topic: metadata. Image courtesy of NASA.
The Current Landscape of Cybersecurity Policy: Legislative Issues in the 113th Congress
Mitchell S. Kominsky, Counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, discusses the state of cybersecurity legislation and the evolving nature of cyber policy. Image courtesy of Getty Images.
Shari’a Courts Move to the Battlefield: Jabhat al-Nusra Opens a Legal Front in the Syrian Civil War
Corri Zoli and Emily Schneider untangle the infighting between rival groups in Syria and the calls to use Shari’a to mediate the conflicts on the battlefield. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
The Reverse Draft: Bringing the Military and Society Back Together
Lieutenant Joseph Hatfield discusses the merits of a “reverse draft” in bridging the growing disconnect between civilian society and the military. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Lessons for Israel from Ancient Chinese Military Thought: Facing Iranian Nuclearization with Sun-Tzu
Professor Louis René Beres brings to bear two classical traditions to apply them to Israeli strategic planning. In this article, he takes a fresh look at Sun-Tzu’s The Art of War and weaves in Greek dialectical reasoning. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Reforming FISC: Legislative Proposals for Creating a More Balanced FISA Court
Harvard Law Student Menno Goedman discusses critiques of the FISC appointment process in light of the increased public scrutiny of American intelligence operations. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Striking Hezbollah-Bound Weapons in Syria: Israel’s Actions Under International Law
Professor Louis René Beres considers Israeli actions in response to threats emanating from Syria, Lebanon, and Iran in the contexts of weapons transfers, missile attacks, and an increasingly volatile situation in Syria. Map courtesy of Google Maps.