Online Edition
The Future of Drone Warfare
University of Virginia Law Professor Frederick Hitz discusses his theories regarding what he terms the “relentless non-humanity” of drone warfare. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
The NSA Surveillance Controversy: How the Ratchet Effect Can Impact Anti-Terrorism Laws
King’s College London PhD student Austen D. Givens explores some of the ways in which the “ratchet effect” can impact anti-terrorism laws, making them difficult to scale back, and offers a set of policy recommendations to mitigate its effects. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Are We Reaching a Tipping Point? How Contemporary Challenges Are Affecting the Military Necessity-Humanity Balance
Major Shane R. Reeves and Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey S. Thurnher address the relationship between the principles of military necessity and humanity, and warn that an overemphasis on humanity may be unfolding in the contexts of the “capture or kill” debate, autonomous weapons systems, and cyber warfare. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force
On Wikipedia, Lawfare, Blogs, and Sources
Benjamin Wittes and Stephanie Leutert discuss the stifling effects of Wikipedia censorship on the national discussion of Lawfare. Photo courtesy of Reuters
Recent Developments in Courtroom Lawfare
Gerard J. Kennedy, Innokenty Pyetranker, and Manik Suri shed light on two recent Second Circuit opinions that will likely have an enduring impact on civil terrorism-related lawsuits. Photo courtesy of Twin Cities Business.
U.S. Cements Presence in West Africa
Michael Robertson: A new drone base in West Africa raises questions about the future of U.S. national security policy in this volatile region. Photo courtesy of Lonely Planet.
The New Tools of Counterterrorism: Combating Illicit Finance and Imposing Sanctions
Menno Goedman explains how one Treasury office has become a potent weapon in fighting terrorism and destabilizing regimes. Photo Courtesy of AP.
Are All Terrorizers “Terrorists”?
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.
Autonomous Weapon Systems and International Humanitarian Law: A Reply to the Critics
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
Women in Combat: Ready, Willing and Able?
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.