Online Edition
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.
The Perilous Position of the Laws of War
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.
Targeting in Outer Space: Legal Aspects of Operational Military Actions in Space
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.
TSA Turns Eleven as Travelers Queue Up for Thanksgiving
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.
Strong Navy Needed for 21st Century Challenges
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.
America’s Greatest Threat? The Debt Crisis
Roderick Miller: America’s national security has been imperiled by its mountain of public debt. Photo courtesy of TIME.