Mike Schmitt
@mikeschmitt.bsky.social
Professor of International Law, Reading University
Operations against Iran have been airpower-intensive. My thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of airpower and how it is best employed.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 5h ago"Operation Epic Fury demonstrates that airpower is both essential and insufficient." @mikeschmitt.bsky.social (Mike Schmitt) on airpower’s promises, limits, and lessons in Iran:
My explanation of the law governing attacks on civilian infrastructure, a growing phenomenon in the current conflicts.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 2w agoThe law of armed conflict (LOAC) is designed to provide a moral compass for what is the most brutal of human endeavors. Abandoning that compass will benefit no one, writes @mikeschmitt.bsky.social (Michael Schmitt). When Civilian Infrastructure Becomes a Lawful Target:
My thoughts on how well U.S. operations against Iran track with the principles Clausewitz set forth in "On War," the holy scripture of strategy.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 2w agoApplying Clausewitz’s core principles to Operation Epic Fury reveals the war’s strategic design – the architecture linking military action to political purpose – was deficient from the start. From @mikeschmitt.bsky.social (Michael Schmitt):
My thoughts on the removals of senior military officers (with 900+ combined years of experience) by the Secretary of Defense and the impact on the operational/combat effectiveness of the U.S. armed forces.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · last mo.Implications of Pete Hegseth's forcing out over two dozen senior U.S. military officers, collectively totaling over 900 years of military experience. From @mikeschmitt.bsky.social (Michael Schmitt):
My thoughts on the Russian barrage that damaged Ukrainian historical/religious/cultural sites last week. The applicable law is crystal clear.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · last mo.The Dormition Cathedral, sitting inside a world-famous Orthodox monastery, was set on fire last week during a massive Russian attack on Kyiv. @mikeschmitt.bsky.social (Michael Schmitt) on how striking these sites violates the law of armed conflict:
My latest, on the Israeli campaign to kill or capture the Oct. 7 massacre participants. With @rcls-nyu.bsky.social colleague and friend, @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, EiC of Just Security.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 2mo agoAnalysis of Israel's "NILI operation" - to kill or capture every individual involved in the October 7 massacre. Experts Mike Schmitt (@mikeschmitt.bsky.social) and Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw.bsky.social) write about what the laws of war allow and disallow.
My analysis of the drone intrusions into the Baltic States with the superb Klaudia Klonowska.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 3mo ago@mikeschmitt.bsky.social and Klaudia Klonowska unpack the international law implications of recent incursions of Ukrainian drones into the airspace of Baltic countries due to Russian electronic warfare tactics. www.justsecurity.org/139448/ukrai...
"With Venezuela, the United States was briefly at war; with drug cartels and gangs in Latin America, the United States was not and never has been; and with Iran, the United States still is." Read analysis by @rcls-nyu.bsky.social Distinguished Scholar @mikeschmitt.bsky.social in @justsecurity.org👇
Is the United States (Still) at War? How Wars Begin and End
Armed conflict is not a matter of political branding, rhetorical convenience, or domestic law positioning. It is a fact-based legal status.
justsecurity.org
My analysis of US actions regarding Cuba with my friend Professor Rob McLaughlin of the University of Wollongong , and Commodore (ret), RoyalAustralian Navy
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 3mo agoThe United States-Cuba Oil Embargo and International Law By naval warfare experts Rob McLaughlin and Michael Schmitt (@mikeschmitt.bsky.social)
War Powers Reminder: As the War Powers Resolution's 60-day clock runs out for Trump's #Iran war: - The WPR does not create a 60 day law free zone - The war *already* violates the Constitution & the UN Charter, that doesn't change on May 1 - When the clock runs, the war will be *triply illegal*
In light of criticism of the Pope, my thoughts on the Just War Doctrine and whether the US operations comply.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 4mo agoA Primer on Just War Theory and the Iran War Assessing the Trump Administration's Response to the Catholic Church By @mikeschmitt.bsky.social www.justsecurity.org/136692/just-...
If you want a one-stop Q&A on targeting rules and the war with #Iran, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, @rgoodlaw.bsky.social and I teamed up on this primer: www.justsecurity.org/135050/exper...
Expert Q&A: A Targeting Primer on Iran War
Leading legal experts Q&A analyzes how the law of armed conflict applies to United States, Israeli, Iranian strikes - focusing on targeting rules and civilian protections.
justsecurity.org
As always, a pleasure to work with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social on this targeting law primer in the Iran War context.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 4mo agoExpert Q&A: A Targeting Primer on Iran War By @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @rgoodlaw.bsky.social #IranWar #InternationalHumanitarianLaw #NavalWarfare www.justsecurity.org/135050/exper...
Expert Q&A on Key Law of Naval Warfare Issues in the Conflict with Iran By Michael Schmitt (@mikeschmitt.bsky.social ) and Rob McLaughlin
Expert Q & A on Key Law of Naval Warfare Issues in the Conflict with Iran
Leading legal experts on the law of naval warfare break down the key issues in the Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict.
justsecurity.org
Legal and Operational Issues in the Strait of Hormuz: Transit Passage Under Fire Reflecting on his own professional experiences in the Strait and legal expertise, former US Navy Commander, JAGC @marknevitt.bsky.social discusses key operational and legal concerns arising in #StraitofHormuz crisis.
Legal and Operational Issues in the Strait of Hormuz: Transit Passage Under Fire
"During my own transits through the Strait as a naval officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation, the narrow geography and proximity of Iranian territory were impossible to ignore."
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My analysis of the sinking of the Iranian worship by a US sub — with CDR Elizabeth "Liz" Hutton (USCG) of the Naval War College’s Stockton Center
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 5mo agoSinking the Iran’s Frigate IRIS Dena and the Law of Naval Warfare By Michael Schmitt (@mikeschmitt.bsky.social) and Elizabeth Hutton Top experts explain the law of naval warfare concerning the location of the Iranian vessel, the attack itself, and U.S. submarine's lack of attempted rescue.
Teamed up with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social to consider US threats against Iran and a potential attack. Assessment? Unlawful.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 6mo agoExpert Q&A: Are U.S. Threats or Use of Force against Iran Lawful? By @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, @tessbridgeman.bsky.social & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social
The Justice Department's OLC claims that assisting in war-sustaining activities amounts to direct participation, opening the individuals concerned to attack. It does not, as Charlie Trumbull and I explain
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 6mo agoCharlie Trumbull & @mikeschmitt.bsky.social explain why DOJ Office of Legal Counsel’s assertion that civilians can be targeted in armed conflict for "assisting in war-sustaining activities” is erroneous, a dangerous precedent, and not too late to be corrected: #LOAC #IHL
My thoughts on seizing a neutral tanker with law of naval warfare experts, Rob and Conor McLaughlin
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 6mo agoWas the Jan. 7 U.S. capture of a Russian-flagged tanker unlawful? Rob McLaughlin, Conor McLaughlin, and @mikeschmitt.bsky.social say the likely answer is yes, under the law of naval warfare: www.justsecurity.org/129792/lonw-...
Thoughts on Maduro's POW status. Always learn so much from writing with new co-authors, and that was certainly the case with Tracey Begley and @brfarley.bsky.social. Real professionals who embrace teamwork and are a joy to work with. And, as always, thanks to the entire @justsecurity.org team.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 6mo agoDuring his first court appearance in the United States, Maduro demanded to be afforded POW status. But does he have it? According to Tracey Begley, Benjamin Farley, and @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, he likely does. Read more here: www.justsecurity.org/129407/presi... #Maduro #Venezuela #POW #IHL
1/ This is what the world moving on without us looks like: paulwells.substack.com/p/the-carney...
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
Analysis of whether international law would allow the acquisition of Greenland, with the ever-insightful (and joy to work with) @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, Co-Editor-in-Chief of @justsecurity.org.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 7mo agoAn expert international law analysis of the insurmountable legal obstacles of any US acquisition of Greenland, from the non-use of force to the right of self-determination. By @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and @tessbridgeman.bsky.social www.justsecurity.org/129374/legal...
My latest - using unmarked aircraft to attack an alleged drug boat
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 7mo agoRead leading expert @mikeschmitt.bsky.social on whether the Sept. 2 strike on suspected drug traffickers using an unmarked aircraft violated the prohibition on perfidy, or other LOAC rules, had there been an armed conflict: www.justsecurity.org/129177/unmar...
New post by Professor @mikeschmitt.bsky.social for @justsecurity.org.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 7mo agoExpert backgrounder What are the obligations of the NATO member States in coming to the assistance of Denmark if the United States uses force against Greenland? An examination of Article 5 of the Alliance and decision-making process. By @mikeschmitt.bsky.social
Expert backgrounder What are the obligations of the NATO member States in coming to the assistance of Denmark if the United States uses force against Greenland? An examination of Article 5 of the Alliance and decision-making process. By @mikeschmitt.bsky.social
The North Atlantic Treaty and a U.S. Attack on Denmark
Would NATO have to defend Denmark if the United States attempted to seize Greenland forcibly? An analysis of NATO Article 5 obligations.
justsecurity.org
My thoughts on whether NATO Allies would be obligated to come to Denmark's assistance if (I can't believe I am saying this) the United States were to attack. Answer: Yes.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 7mo agoExpert backgrounder What are the obligations of the NATO member States in coming to the assistance of Denmark if the United States uses force against Greenland? An examination of Article 5 of the Alliance and decision-making process. By @mikeschmitt.bsky.social
An update to the Venezuela Q&A with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, who always have something significant and insightful to say.
Tess Bridgeman@tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 7mo agoOur Q&A (with the great @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social) is now updated to include the US military actions against Venezuela and seizure of Maduro: www.justsecurity.org/126156/faq-v...
My latest with the phenomenal @rgoodlaw.bsky.social and @mikeschmitt.bsky.social: International Law and the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement Operations in Venezuela www.justsecurity.org/127981/inter...
International Law and the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement Operations in Venezuela
Experts survey the international law issues of Operation Absolute Resolve.
justsecurity.org
I believe folks know the important work we're doing at @justsecurity.org, especially in these challenging times. But we made this short video as a reminder! We really need your support this #GivingTuesday. For tax-deductible gifts: justsecurity.org/donate/