“…industry is not bound to ensure that its products are compliant with the law of armed conflict. … This could present the Ministry of Defence with an unpalatable choice between redesigning these systems at considerable expense or deploying them at the risk of non-compliance.”

"The US has the power to stop Israel, but until it decides to exercise that power, the violations are likely to continue." I spoke to @aljazeera.com about the latest violations across the yellow line in #Gaza . mediaview.aljazeera.com/video/sYbXhU...

From Mitiga to The Hague. A new piece I wrote for @ceasefirecentre.bsky.social on the El Hishri case, victim participation, and accountability in Libya after years of impunity. I also reflect on attending the hearings firsthand. Read here: www.ceasefire.org/from-mitiga-...

⚔️ Contemporary armed conflicts, such as in Gaza and Ukraine, have placed unprecedented pressure on the rules of international humanitarian law. The latest Volume of the Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law, published w/ Springer, is out! 🔗 lnkd.in/eEPQWijn #IHL #LOAC #Gaza #Ukraine

Where do I get my copy?

Some say it is legal to attack energy infrastructure because it is a ‘dual-use object’. But such strikes may make commanders liable under the law on dual-purpose attacks. My latest for @articlesofwar.bsky.social with research from @yearbookofihl.bsky.social lieber.westpoint.edu/dual-use-obj...

Rajiv Menon KC had been accused of breaching judge's directions by telling jury that they had a right to acquit. "This unprecedented attempt to criminalise lawyers for doing their job and representing their clients fearlessly should never be repeated.” www.theguardian.com/law/2026/may...

“The UK’s inability to detect civilian harm calls into question its ability to comply with international humanitarian law” - Mae Thompson for @ceasefirecentre.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

NEW: Compensation to harmed individuals now formally included in the EUR 90 billion Ukraine support loan just agreed by EU. Recall that the loan is only repayable on receipt of war #reparations from Russia, giving the EU a direct interest in Russia paying up. www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/press/pre...

V good piece by Caitlin Chiaramonte and @legalleadtheway.bsky.social on challenges for prosecutors in the big Afghanistan war crimes trial in Aus. Similar to what might be faced in UK after completion of Afghanistan Inquiry into alleged unlawful killings. #HaddonCave

Can radical change solve some of today’s most intractable problems? V good ep of Start the Week yesterday featuring Nerve contributing writer @natashawalter.bsky.social talking about her new book ‘Feminism for a World on Fire’ Host @tds153.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

The White House knew and possibly drafted the contents of the Pakistani PM’’s statement detailing the terms of the ceasefire. They included Lebanon. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/w...

New statement by EU countries, UK, Canada & Japan welcomes ceasefire, incl. #Lebanon. Meanwhile Israel has launched at least 100 airstrikes across Lebanon, killing scores of civilians, and Beirut hospitals appeal for blood donations.

"The [Office of the Special Investigator] has been tasked with investigating literally dozens of murders” in Afghanistan. This is first person charged. In an earlier civil case, “a Federal Court judge found that Roberts-Smith had taken part in at least four murders...” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

That’s not a heist, that’s repossession

We’re told we must accept much higher civilian casualties in large-scale combat operations. But what if that is based on a false assumption? My latest for @articlesofwar.bsky.social lieber.westpoint.edu/challenging-...

We’re told we must accept much higher civilian casualties in large-scale combat operations. But what if that is based on a false assumption? My latest for @articlesofwar.bsky.social lieber.westpoint.edu/challenging-...

The number of civilians directly killed in this war already stands at over 1,500 but the full toll of civilian harm is far greater and deeper.

Justice after two decades www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/u...

Not good cpj.org/2026/03/germ...

NEW: Arrest in London of former Syrian Air Force intelligence officer. For years the Syria work of the War Crimes Unit at Counter Terrorism Command (Met Police) has focused on 'structural investigations', but this apparently follows tip off by Syrians in London. #UJ 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

When I was crossing the Bekaa valley last month, a shopkeeper proudly told me that “half the restaurants in New York serve wine from the Bekaa” (he wouldn’t be far wrong).

General Sir Richard Shirreff: "if Britain is involved, our hand is in the mangle... we should not in any way, shape or form be involved with the Americans closely because they are being led by a couple of gung ho nutters without a proper strategy..." After that, he let's rip.

British PM Starmer says that U.K. bases will only be used for ’defensive’ operations and not ‘offensive’ ops. But how can that be so when they are being used by the aggressor? Great discussion here with Milanovic, @adhaque.bsky.social @janinadill.bsky.social www.middleeasteye.net/explainers/u...

“The United States, Israel, and Iran, have each violated international law. The United Kingdom appears poised to join them.” www.justsecurity.org/132894/us-is...

Great thread on the wonderful Yanar Mohammed ⬇️

Devastated to learn that the great Yanar Mohammed, founder of the Organization for Women's Freedom in Iraq, was assassinated today by 'unknown' gunmen in Baghdad. Here in her own words:

The only certainty in the war between US/Israel and Iran is mass civilian harm www.ceasefire.org/mass-civilia...

U.K., France, Germany statement just out. The “we are not joining these strikes” line is crumbling fast…

Reassuring www.newscientist.com/article/2516...

inside the ‘triple black box’

As Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the immense civilian toll continues to grow. Writing for our blog, Ukrainian artist and activist Anna Moskalets shares how these four years have altered her life, her art, and her understanding of resistance.

"The body of evidence we collected ... leaves only one reasonable inference," said UN expert Mona Rishmawi. "The RSF acted with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Zaghawa and Fur communities in El-Fasher. These are the hallmarks of genocide." reliefweb.int/node/4199260

Bound to be good!

Assassinating Justice in Libya My latest piece for @ceasefirecentre.bsky.social Read it here 👇🏽 www.ceasefire.org/assassinatin...

I sat in on the Defence Committee last week as former ministers were questioned about the MoD's Afghan data breach. In my latest blog post for @ceasefirecentre.bsky.social, I consider what the data breach and superinjunction reveal about the culture inside the MoD and what needs to change.

Large pro-Kurdish demo outside U.K. Parliament just now. There’s a lot of concern that what happened in Suwayda is now unfolding in NE Syria.

Indeed www.state.gov/u-s-support-...

“Contrary to the interests of the US”: - Global Counterterrorism Forum - International Law Commission - Office of UN SRSG on violence against children -Peacebuilding Commission …. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Historic verdict: Roger Lumbala is found guilty of crimes against humanity in DR Congo.. Congratulations to all who made this happen - particularly to @mglattimer.bsky.social

Good that the PM has intervened, but he is only repeating a threat that was first made by the UK gov 6 months ago. Now is the time for action. #reparations #Ukraine www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

BREAKING 📣 Congolese warlord Roger Lumbala was convicted today for complicity in crimes against humanity committed during the Second #Congo War. Minority Rights Group welcomes this decision to convict as a historic turning point for the #indigenous Bambuti.

BREAKING: Roger Lumbala found guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity and sentenced to 30 years for operation Effacer le tableau in eastern Congo, just now at Cour d’Assises in Paris. @minorityrights.bsky.social

Here with UN SR Francesca Albanese at @odi.global “Absolutely Israel should pay reparations for the occupation — and those other countries who are complicit by sending arms.”

This is the letter received by an Iraqi family in Basra after their father was arrested. “British Forces have treated him in a good way according to the British Rules”, writes the commanding officer reassuringly. In fact, as the officer knew very well, their father was already dead. SHORT 🧵

Afghan Inquiry publishes redacted evidence from closed hearings in 2024 involving former Special Forces members, after refusing the MoD’s request to delay release. Newly published docs reveal the Inquiry was told UKSF leadership suppressed evidence of possible war crimes.

OUT NOW: Our new report finds UK defence is ill-prepared to protect civilians from harm from UK military operations. Full report: www.ceasefire.org/uk-defence-i...

Happening In Belfast tomorrow ⬇️ Please repost for colleagues in Northern Ireland!

"Ukraine reserved the right to decide how to allocate resources, Ms Mudra said, adding that some would have to go towards other sectors like reconstruction and victim compensation." At least some of the "reparations loan" should be spent on #reparations for victims. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Crushing opinion on Israel’s obligations just dropped from Intl Court of Justice. In findings that rely heavily on IHL, ICJ says that Israel’s duty under GCIV Art59 to facilitate relief schemes if the local population is inadequately supplied is *unconditional*, incl. relief provided by UNRWA. 1/3