Articles of War
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Timely debate and analysis of legal challenges on the contemporary battlefield. @Lieber_Inst @WestPoint_USMA
West Point, NY
Joined March 2020
Today marks the 5-year anniversary of the launch of #ArticlesofWar. We extend our profound thanks to our co-founder (@DeanUsma), our authors, and readers. We’re thrilled by the prospect of working with you and continuing to serve our important field.
lieber.westpoint.edu
On Articles of War's 5th anniversary, we proudly reflect on a journey defined by engagement, scholarship, and global reach.
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Recent #cyber ops undertaken by the #PredatorySparrow have raised questions regarding privatization of warfare and #LOAC gray zones. @GaryCorn5 addresses in his post questions relating to potential detention and prosecution of Predatory Sparrow members.
lieber.westpoint.edu
This post addresses matters relating to potential detention and prosecution of non-state actors, especially the members of Predatory Sparrow.
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Calling out #IHL #violations is not working. It may be preventing further deterioration, but it is not reining in unlawful attacks or restoring IHL as a normative red line. Erica Harper argues that what is needed is a pivot towards promoting #compliance.
lieber.westpoint.edu
This post argues that perhaps what is needed is a pivot, away from condemning IHL violations and towards promoting compliance.
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The #Yarmouk case is the only case in the world to investigate the deliberate starvation of Syrian civilians. Rosa-Lena Lauterbach argues that the addition of the starvation charge marks a significant development in the prosecution of #warcrimes.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Yarmouk case is the only case in the world to investigate the deliberate starvation of Syrian civilians, making it a landmark trial.
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The demise of #IHL is not a hypothetical or alarmist prediction, but an observation grounded in the political reality of our time, argues Nilanthan Niruthan. By using geopolitical & legal analysis, he examines how the concept of IHL is itself under siege.
lieber.westpoint.edu
The demise of IHL is not a hypothetical or alarmist prediction, but an observation grounded in the political reality of our time.
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In its recent decision concerning drone strikes conducted from a US airbase in Germany, the German Federal Constitutional Court noted a recent publication in #LieberStudies series and cited Sivakumaran/Burne, Making and Shaping the Law of Armed Conflict.
lieber.westpoint.edu
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What were the hot issues of #IHL in 1892? What was debated or debatable in those days? Antoine Pillet’s Le Droit de la Guerre provides valuable insights into this old-styled law of #war in the days just before the #HagueConventions, argues Robert Kolb.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Pillet’s Le Droit de la Guerre provides valuable insights into this old-styled law of war in the days just before the Hague Conventions.
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In early June, FBI arrested 2 Chinese nationals for conspiracy to smuggle a #fungus into the U.S., which is classified as an #agroterrorism weapon. @JamesKraska examines the Biological Weapons Convention and clandestine importation of a dangerous fungus.
lieber.westpoint.edu
The clandestine importation of a dangerous fungus could potentially violate the Biological Weapons Convention.
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Non-state actors linked to both #Iran and #Israel were actively targeting the opposing sides throughout the so-called 12-Day War. @GaryCorn5 examines a pro-Israeli group known as #PredatorySparrow and their activities during the conflict.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Non-state actors linked to both Iran and Israel were actively targeting the opposing sides throughout the so-called 12-Day War.
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While Australia’s #compensation scheme for victims of ADF ops in #Afghanistan has received criticism, the scheme also represents a practical model for providing individual #reparations while maintaining admin. control over the process, argues @EmilyCamins.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Australian compensation scheme represents a practical model for providing individual reparations, while maintaining administrative control.
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Religious personnel’s work, by its very nature, poses questions for #IHL. @ABartlesSmith argues that #religious personnel can help to contextualize IHL in diverse #military cultures and to bridge it with the moral psychology and motivations of combatants.
lieber.westpoint.edu
The ramifications of attaching religious personnel to fighting forces, and the issues this poses for IHL, are underappreciated.
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Reportedly, Israeli settlers or soldiers have killed at least 5 U.S. citizens in the #WestBank since the 2023 Hamas attack. Mike Schmitt & Julia Flores examine occupying power’s LOAC obligation to maintain public order & ensure the security of persons.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Obligation of an Occupying Power to ensure public order/safety in occupied territory is a tenet of the law of belligerent occupation.
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On June 9, 2025, #Israel intercepted the #Madleen attempting to breach Israel’s longstanding naval #blockade of #Gaza. @DVelenczei explores the legal framework governing #navalblockades and examines the lawfulness of the interception of the Madleen.
lieber.westpoint.edu
This post explores the legal framework governing naval blockades and examines the lawfulness of the interception of the Madleen.
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War termination is not merely a legal or diplomatic task but a strategic choice. Some options for ending the #war in #Ukraine carry greater risks to #deterrence and international #security than others, argues Andrea Logan.
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Some options for ending the war in Ukraine carry greater risks to deterrence and international security than others.
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. #Intelligence wars take place in an environment shrouded in legal #ambiguity regarding the status of its warriors, how undercover and other clandestine operations are carried out, and the strategic context in which they unfold, argues Ken Watkin.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Ultimately, the challenge is that intelligence wars take place in an environment shrouded in legal ambiguity.
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Irregular operations hide in the shadows of a legally ambiguous environment. Ken Watkin explores this area of legal uncertainty by assessing the increasing reliance placed on “#intelligence wars” and the types of units engaged in such hostilities.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Irregular operations by intelligence agencies are a part of warfare that unfold often shaded from view, and at times, accountability.
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The abandonment of the #OttawaConvention by some States is far from ideal and should be avoided where possible. Inna Zavorotko & Oleksii Plotnikov explore possible alternatives and ask what remains for States that choose to withdraw from the Convention.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Withdrawal from Ottawa Convention does not mean lawlessness in the use of APMs as they continue to be regulated by general IHL principles.
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As Robert Kolb’s post on special agreements shows, modern #IHL, including especially the Geneva Conventions, requires holistic reading and thoughtful interpretation.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Cross-linkages, such as those this post has identified, secure protections borne of historical experience.
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Kevin S. Coble identifies in his post some factors commanders and planners may consider when evaluating an attack’s #militaryadvantage and explains how those individuals may use the factors when conducting a #proportionality analysis.
lieber.westpoint.edu
It is challenging for outside observers to identify, understand, and quantify the anticipated military advantage of an attack.
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Comparative law provides a modality to explore the interrelationship between IL & domestic law. @DanStigall50 explores this function of #comparativelaw by highlighting the intertextual dialogue between international treaties and civil codes.
lieber.westpoint.edu
Comparative law provides a modality to explore the interrelationship between international law and domestic law.
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