🧵 So we finally have a title for the document that will be published by the British gov't tomorrow: ‘Integrated Review Refresh 2023: Responding to a More Contested and Volatile World’. Downing St. and MoD have released some details. A summary and a few notes in the thread below.

“We can see a de-escalation in the regional layer of the conflict but it is a multi-layered conflict, with domestic and regional causes. It’s not just a proxy war.”

Ahmed Nagi on the situation in #Yemen following the truce between Iran & Saudia Arabia.
ft.com/content/47e26a…

As the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq draws near, Reuters visited a small forensics team tasked with untangling one of the biggest missing persons files in the world, ranging up into the hundreds of thousands reut.rs/3Fkx7Jc

The Dutch government recently announced it will not appeal a civil judgment ordering it to pay damages to victims of a 2007 #Afghanistan attack.

Marieke de Hoon expertly analyzes the case, in which the court applied international humanitarian law:
justsecurity.org/85223/dutch-co…

On the ground reporting from Eric Schmitt on the still active Somalia front of GWOT, including a quote from my Crisis Group colleague Omar S Mahmood.

The legal basis for ongoing US hostilities against Al Shabaab is as flimsy as its relation to US national security is tenuous.

On Feb. 10, U.S. forces in Africa conducted an operation that killed 12 al-Shabaab militants.

Most Americans have no idea we are at war in Somalia, and the idea that the 2001 AUMF authorizes this war is ridiculous. Congress needs to step up and rewrite the 2001 law or sunset it.

Civil wars, armed insurrections, coups and external shocks have spread instability across parts of the African continent.

Ahead of the African Union’s heads of state summit, we look at 8 priorities where African leaders can make a difference in 2023.

➡️crisisgroup.org/africa/african…

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In light of the US shoot down of an Iranian-origin drone in Syria yesterday, reposting some prior analysis of the legal questions raised by US hostilities in Syria with non-ISIS forces. 1/n

And for the 1st time in 7+ years, children could resume school w/out fear of attacks.

A first-grade teacher said, “During these 6 months, my pupils have begun to change their perception of seeing a plane fly overhead. To not be terrified, confused & uncomfortable.” #Yemen

The war in Ukraine has captured most of the world's attention & diplomatic efforts, probably at the expense of many other crises that require similar attention.

Crisis Group reminds us of places where the UN should give proper attention & where it could have some impact 🧵

The US now paying people for human intel on ISIS operatives in order to target them with #drone strikes is a double-edged sword. Experiences from Afghanistan learned that this also led to false info, used to take out opponents or settle personal scores
reuters.com/world/middle-e…

Looking forward to chairing this important conversation on civilian protection with brilliant speakers Jennifer Gibson Rawan S Dr Iain Overton and Mark Goodwin-Hudson at the Frontline Club.

A topic close to my heart and well worthy of my public speaking debut with Crisis Group

The @APPGDronesMC is looking for it’s new Director!

This has been a brilliant - rewarding, impactful, and (the right kind of) challenging - job, and I urge anyone thinking about it to apply.

Big, dreamy, important job going running the @APPGDronesMC, leading the scrutiny + strengthening of UK foreign & defence policy🇬🇧🕊️🤓

HUGE shoes to fill - Aditi Gupta & Camilla Molyneux are absolute👑QUEENS👑of parliamentry scrutiny + modern warfare - dont let that put you off tho!

Could you be our new Director?

We’re looking for a driven individual who has real passion for our overarching aims: championing #POC ; ensuring adherence to #RoL ; strengthening Parliament in scrutinising UK and partnered military operations.

Apply now!

appgdronesmodernconflict.org.uk/vacancy-direct…

🧵The evidence in this BBC Panorama investigation is deeply concerning, highlighting the minimal accountability of UK Special Forces.

It is especially worrying given the proposal to increase their role as part of the UK’s ‘persistent engagement’ strategy.

There has been no shortage of wake-up calls for the international community to take effective actions to stop the senseless and indiscriminate killings of civilians in armed conflict around the world.

Here are some actions they could take: civiliansinconflict.org/press-coverage…

1/ The BBC revealed this morning that UK Special Forces killed as many as 54 unarmed Afghan men in 2010/2011
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-620831…

I really hope this excellent investigative work by Action on Armed Violence and others doesn't get lost in discussions over who the next UK Prime Minister is.
Whoever it is, they need to address the glaring lack of transparency and accountability over UK Special Forces - bbc.co.uk/news/uk-620831…