John Spencer’s Post

Dense urban warfare involving sophisticated networks of tunnels and concentrated numbers of civilians above ground presents many legal and operational challenges. The goal to eliminate Hamas appears to be inextricably linked to high numbers of civilian casualties under such circumstances. How does the IDF calculate proportionality in its fight against Hamas? Is Israel’s current offensive in Gaza consistent with the requirements of proportionality and distinction under LOAC? More generally, is the goal to eliminate Hamas compatible with the duty to mitigate civilian harm? Watch a recording of yesterday's briefing featuring Professor Geoffrey S. Corn and Maj. (Res.) Ben Wahlhaus, moderated by Professor Claire Finkelstein. https://lnkd.in/eQtNWhK8

New article out in which I examine whether an armed group's legitimacy-seeking ambitions and investments in rebel governance help curb communal conflict in civil war. ⤵ https://lnkd.in/d7HiarrD

Iran has denied a direct role in the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel. Yet intelligence officials say the complexity and stealth of the attacks bear the hallmarks of Iranian involvement. What role, if any, did Iran play in orchestrating the Hamas attacks? What are the implications of the Israel-Hamas conflict for the geopolitical stability of the region? What are the chances that the conflict will broaden, and that Hezbollah will pose a more significant threat to Israel’s survival? Do the recent attacks on U.S. forces by Iranian proxies in Syria, Iran, and Yemen signal a broadening conflict, or are they isolated in nature? What would Iranian coordination and involvement of attacks on Israel and U.S. forces suggest about how the U.S. should handle its support for Israel in the current conflict and its relationship with other nations in the region? What would it imply for relations between the U.S. and Iran? Watch a recording of yesterday's conversation, featuring General (Ret.) James Cartwright and Dr. Morton H. Halperin, moderated by Professor Claire Finkelstein. https://lnkd.in/euiW-M6J

Drawing on authoritative sources, this glossary offers an overview of common terms used in discussing situations of armed conflict 👇

Conflict In Gaza: The Law Of War And Irregular Warfare In Urban Terrain – Analysis https://flip.it/Snm1AQ

#BreakingAlert Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa on Tuesday decreed a state of emergency in five coastal provinces because of "internal armed conflict".#breakingnews #news #international #bbn #bbnewsinternational #corp #bulletinews #dailynews #worldnews #trendingnews #newsoftheday #newsupdates #newsmedia #newsdaily #newsroom #internationaleditor www.bbnewsin.com

Ambassador Thomas Greminger presents another eloquent and detailed piece from the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. This document offers perspectives on the war in Ukraine and provides policy recommendations for international decision-makers. Key themes covered include: 1. An assessment of the situation on the battlefield and scenarios for the conflict's evolution in the coming months 2. An exploration of settlement talks and negotiations, including the possibility of a ceasefire leading to a conflict settlement process 3. An examination of the challenges and issues that would need to be addressed in a settlement process, including reparations, accountability for war crimes, and contentious territorial issues 4. Consideration of the potential for a frozen conflict as an outcome and its implications for Ukrainian territorial integrity

Insightful piece by Jack from Royal United Services Institute 🤔 We truly need to move on from the outdated #Clausewitzian way of thinking of how warfare is conducted. War is not static, rules-based and only #kinetic. As societies and technologies have evolved so did our ways of conducting warfare. War is now constantly #evolving, it is #time-#bound, #persistent, #multi-#domain, and includes non-kinetic elements such a #cyber and #cognitive warfare. The faster we adapt our concepts and strategies, the better we can adapt, and strengthen, our #deterrence and #defence posture. In our consistently evolving #security & #defence environment we need to have a decisive military advantage over strategic #competitors and continuously adapt our military instruments of power (#MIoPs). While we proepare our militaries for the changing character of war, the recent violence in Israel and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine do demonstrate that the traditional use of military force still remains a feature of our security environment.

Sacred Duty: Soldiers' Moral Obligation to Protect Innocent Lives in Conflict Zones #civiliancasualties #conflictzones #decisionmakingprocesses #ethicaldilemmas #humancostofwar #longtermpeacebuildingefforts #moralobligation #politiciansandmilitaryleaders #prioritizesafetyofcivilians #protectinnocentlives #protectionofinnocentlives #responsibilityforonesactions #roleofthemilitary #sacredduty #shiftinmindset #soldiersinIraq #strategicinterests #universalresponsibility

Sacred Duty: Soldiers' Moral Obligation to Protect Innocent Lives in Conflict Zones #civiliancasualties #conflictzones #decisionmakingprocesses #ethicaldilemmas #humancostofwar #longtermpeacebuildingefforts #moralobligation #politiciansandmilitaryleaders #prioritizesafetyofcivilians #protectinnocentlives #protectionofinnocentlives #responsibilityforonesactions #roleofthemilitary #sacredduty #shiftinmindset #soldiersinIraq #strategicinterests #universalresponsibility