Cluster munitions haunt battlefields long after fighting is over, scattered bomblets remaining active for months years or decades, until painstakingly disarmed or tragically detonated. U.S. stopped purchasing cluster munitions in 2007, but restarted last year. internationalpolicy.org/publications...

Recommit to Restraint in U.S. Cluster Munitions Policy  - CIP

Recent backsliding in U.S. cluster munition policy implicates international law, breaks with longstanding policy, and demands an answer.

internationalpolicy.org

Members of the Senate are taking steps to regulate and restrict how the Department of Defense develops and uses AI in its operations. Sarah Wilbanks and @jwrchappell.bsky.social (John Ramming Chappell) break down the different proposals underway:

Civilian Protection in the Age of Military AI

Members of the Senate are taking steps to regulate and restrict how the Department of Defense develops and uses AI in its operations.

justsecurity.org

Outside of armed conflict, premeditated killing is referred to as murder. There is no indication this strike occurred in an armed conflict. Including because, as best we can tell, TdA doesn't constitute an "organized armed group."

More lawless, performative killing by the Trump administration. This time seemingly in Venezuela.

📣“We are witnessing an unacceptable normalization of this lawless campaign, and with it the Trump administration’s claim that it can execute anyone accused of a crime without any due process.” “Congress must put an end to these murders."⬇️

Annie Shiel@annieshiel.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The United States' murder campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific has now killed over 200 civilians with impunity. This normalization cannot continue. CIVIC's statement: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...

The United States' murder campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific has now killed over 200 civilians with impunity. This normalization cannot continue. CIVIC's statement: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...

US Murder Campaign on the High Seas Kills Over 200 Civilians

The United States has now reportedly killed at least 205 civilians in unlawful strikes against vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) condemns these e...

civiliansinconflict.org

“Secretary Hegseth has presided over an expansion in U.S. military operations that has caused devastating civilian harm globally, from Yemen, Iran, and Somalia to extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean and Pacific,” said @annieshiel.bsky.social theintercept.com/2026/04/29/h...

Hegseth Brags of a Deadlier War Machine as U.S. Unleashes “Devastating Civilian Harm Globally”

While testifying to Congress on Wednesday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth lobbed threats and brushed off queries about civilian harm.

theintercept.com

NEW: CIVIC + over 120 groups from around the world call on all States to stop support for US extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean and Pacific or risk legal responsibility. civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...

An Open Call to All States to Stop Facilitating US Extrajudicial Killings

125 organizations released an open call to all States to end support for US extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, and reminding States that continuing to provide support could...

civiliansinconflict.org

A credible Pentagon probe of the U.S. military strike on the Minab school in #Iran requires specific steps. From Annie Shiel & @priyankam.bsky.social, who’ve extensively studied U.S. military investigations of #CivilianHarm: www.justsecurity.org/134898/iran-...

In the U.S. Strike on an Iranian School, What a Serious Military Investigation Should Look Like

A military operation resulting in such a civilian death toll as the Minab school strike demands a credible, thorough Pentagon investigation.

justsecurity.org

One month into the war in #Iran , and civilians are paying the price. Our new brief with @airwars.bsky.social & Human Rights Activists in Iran assesses the devastating civilian toll in Iran, the drivers of harm, and urgent recommendations for all actors. 👉Read the brief shorturl.at/is62b

“The Sound of Explosions Did Not Stop:” Civilian Harm in Iran after One Month of War | Center for Civilians in Conflict

Civilians have borne the brunt of the US-Israel-Iran war since it began on February 28, 2026.  This brief by Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), and Airwars...

shorturl.at

SOUTHCOM attacked another boat in the Pacific Ocean. Two civilians were killed. One was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf and transferred to the Costa Rican Coast Guard. theintercept.com/2025/11/17/t...

President Trump is killing civilians at sea. This is illegal and immoral.

NEW― Sources familiar with US policies on civilian casualties are deeply worried about the possible toll of Trump's war on Iran -Key Pentagon teams focused on civilians have been slashed+reassigned (even at CENTCOM) -Israel role raising fears of Gaza-style impunity www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...

Before Trump Bombed Iran, Pentagon Slashed Teams Meant to Limit Civilian Casualties

The U.S. has "no stupid rules of engagement," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday.

huffpost.com

Civilians are paying the price for US military escalation in Iran. Congress must rein in this reckless campaign before more lives are lost. Our statement: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...

CIVIC Calls for Immediate De-escalation as Regional Conflict Harms Civilians | Center for Civilians in Conflict

Amman, Jordan / Washington, DC, March 1, 2026 – As deadly conflict escalates across Iran and the wider Middle East, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) calls for immediate de-escalation, maximum ...

civiliansinconflict.org

The US has now killed over 100 civilians in unlawful boat strikes in Latin America. CIVIC condemns these executions, which occur against civilian drug trafficking suspects outside any recognized armed conflict, and urges Congress to act. Our statement: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...

Over 100 Civilians Killed in Unlawful US Boat Strikes

The United States has now reportedly killed at least 103 civilians in unlawful strikes against vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) condemns these e...

civiliansinconflict.org

Now Senate Armed Services Committee and House Armed Services Committee - vow "vigorous oversight" and "full accounting" of Secretary Hegseth's alleged "kill them all" order and double-strike operation. Rare joint statements by GOP Chairman and Ranking Member on both committees

Annie Shiel highlighted how the humanitarian sector is being stretched beyond its limits due to the effects of explosive weapons in populated areas. #StopBombingCivilians

We’re about to begin the Protection Forum in Costa Rica, a space to discuss civilian harm, share experiences, and strengthen action under EWIPA. Stay tuned for updates, speakers’ insights, and highlights throughout the day. #StopBombingCivilians

NEW: CIVIC is launching the new Guiding Principles on Community-Based Amends, an accessible guide to thinking about post-harm assistance to conflict-affected communities. Read the principles here: civiliansinconflict.org/publications...

Guiding Principles for Community-Based Amends

This report draws from geographically diverse case studies, existing research on reparations and transitional justice, and expert consultations to formulate principles intended to inform the design an...

civiliansinconflict.org

CIVIC joined over 60 organizations to express alarm at the US' unlawful killing of civilians in the Caribbean and to call on Congress to block further unauthorized strikes. Read the letter: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...

CIVIC, Over 60 Groups to US Congress: End Unlawful Caribbean Strikes

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) joined over 60 organizations expressing alarm at the repeated extrajudicial killings of unidentified civilians in the Caribbean through US strikes and calling ...

civiliansinconflict.org

Rand Paul: "I think blowing up speedboats in the Caribbean isn't necessarily the answer."

Today, Senator Kaine and I will force the Senate to vote on the administration’s decision to blow up ships in the Caribbean. If a president can unilaterally put people or groups on a list and kill them, there is no meaningful limit to his use of force.

1/ Trump officials reportedly told Congress the U.S. is in a “non-international armed conflict” with “designated terrorist organizations.” Here’s why that’s wrong: the U.S. is not at war. 🧵

Gaza enters its third year of a war against civilians. 66,000+ killed. 19,000+ children. Famine declared. Recognition of genocide. CIVIC reiterates its call for a permanent ceasefire, arms embargo, accountability, and humanitarian access. Our statement: bit.ly/46wUT31

Gaza: Third Year of a War Against Civilians Amid Global Inaction

As the war in Gaza enters its third year, Palestinian civilians continue to endure unlawful attacks and catastrophic suffering at the hands of Israel’s ongoing military campaign and blockade.

bit.ly

.@jayapal.house.gov introduced an amendment during the ongoing State Dept Reauthorization markup in the House Foreign Affairs Committee that would condition $1 billion of the $3.3 billion in US military aid to Israel on human rights benchmarks. A 🧵

At stake in the president's decision to summarily execute alleged cartel members in the Caribbean is whether he can murder people outside of war with impunity. From me & colleagues in @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...

Murder by Drone: The Legal and Moral Stakes of the Caribbean Strikes

If allowed to go unchecked, the Caribbean strikes could encourage additional unlawful executions by the United States and other leaders.

justsecurity.org

Analyzing the legal and moral stakes of the Caribbean strikes – and how Congress could respond. From Annie Shiel, @jwrchappell.bsky.social, Priyanka Motaparthy, Wells Dixon and Daphne Eviatar: www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...

Murder by Drone: The Legal and Moral Stakes of the Caribbean Strikes

If allowed to go unchecked, the Caribbean strikes could encourage additional unlawful executions by the United States and other leaders.

justsecurity.org

“All people, no matter where they live or what crime they have been accused of, have fundamental human rights, including the rights to life and due process,” said @annieshiel.bsky.social. theintercept.com/2025/09/10/t...

Rand Paul Reveals Venezuela Boat Attack Was a Drone Strike

Sen. Rand Paul told The Intercept the attack defied rules of engagement and came from a drone. A legal expert calls it murder.

theintercept.com

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 11mo ago

Pete Hegseth on a video of American forces blowing up a boat in the southern Caribbean: "I can tell you that was definitely not artificial intelligence. I watched it live ... those 11 drug traffickers are no longer with us."

NEW: CIVIC is alarmed by the US strike on a vessel in the Caribbean that killed 11 people. An attack like this, outside of armed conflict, is an extrajudicial execution, not an act of war. Congress must demand transparency & accountability: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...