rule of law

Targeting Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: Pertinent Issues of Law and Strategy

SWJED — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 15:00:38 +0000

Targeting Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: Pertinent Issues of Law and Strategy SWJED Mon, 10/28/2019 - 11:00am

The US targeted killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on 26 October 2019 raises both tactical and legal questions. Although it is by no means certain that such "decapitation" tactics can tangibly diminish Jihadist terrorist threats to the United States, there is little reason to doubt their permissibility under pertinent international law. In the final analysis, such permissibility derives from our world's still-decentralized legal structure.

Rule of Law Wins in the Overlap of Law and Culture

SWJED — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 04:44:46 +0000

Rule of Law Wins in the Overlap of Law and Culture SWJED Thu, 11/01/2018 - 12:44am

Several months after the Niger ambush, the President of the United States issued the 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS). The 2017 NSS strategy toward Africa reiterates the rule of law as a priority. Rule of law is integral to the military’s mission, but rule of law requires an understanding of operational law, particularly local law and cultural norms.

Special Forces at the Lion’s Tail: Managing Risk in the Use of Special Operations Forces and the Application of Law

SWJED — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 13:24:26 +0000

Special Forces at the Lion’s Tail: Managing Risk in the Use of Special Operations Forces and the Application of Law SWJED Tue, 10/30/2018 - 9:24am

The 2017 NSS allows undue risk. A parsing of the NSS strategy toward Africa helps make the point: the NSS defers to ends and means and leaves ways unclear. The Lykke model of military strategy (ways to apply means to ends) is brilliant in its simplicity. But this model fails as a construct of national strategy.

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Tyranny of the Majority: U.S.-fueled Instability in Mexico and the Case for a North American Economic and Security Community

SWJED — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 06:19:23 +0000

Tyranny of the Majority: U.S.-fueled Instability in Mexico and the Case for a North American Economic and Security Community SWJED Fri, 01/26/2018 - 1:19am

The social contract has been breached in many Mexican states. Instead of rule of law, impunity reigns. Crimes go unreported, uninvestigated, and unpunished.

Bridging the Potomac: How a Rule of Law Field Force Strikes Balance Between Security and Development Operations

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Bridging the Potomac: How a Rule of Law Field Force Strikes Balance Between Security and Development Operations Peter J. Munson Mon, 03/25/2013 - 3:30am

While COIN remains the convention, to varying degrees, in post-conflict and steady-state operations, rule of law will be an essential part of the US security mission.

The Parable of Little America: A Discussion with Rajiv Chandrasekaran

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:28:32 +0000

The Parable of Little America: A Discussion with Rajiv Chandrasekaran Peter J. Munson Mon, 07/02/2012 - 5:28am

Stemming from his must-read book, an important discussion about Helmand, Kandahar, and America's flawed attempt to save Afghanistan.