Andrew M Bell
@andrewmbell.bsky.social
Senior Research Scholar, Stanford CISAC
Law of armed conflict/IHL, military ethics, int'l security & law
Law of armed conflict/IHL, military ethics, int'l security & law
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
I wrote something... Hope it’s helpful ☮️
I’ve studied Nonviolent protection movements in war zones for 2 decades. Here’s what I’m seeing in the U.S.
theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...
I’ve studied Nonviolent protection movements in war zones for 2 decades. Here’s what I’m seeing in the U.S.
theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...
Anti-ICE protesters are following same nonviolent playbook used by people in war zones across the world to fight threats to their communities
Americans are learning and doing the kind of work that civilians in war zones worldwide have done for decades: dealing with threats by organizing to help protect their neighbors and communities.
theconversation.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:48 PM
I wrote something... Hope it’s helpful ☮️
I’ve studied Nonviolent protection movements in war zones for 2 decades. Here’s what I’m seeing in the U.S.
theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...
I’ve studied Nonviolent protection movements in war zones for 2 decades. Here’s what I’m seeing in the U.S.
theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
Oh, and this is temporarily open-access, so click away!
academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...
academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...
Technology for civilian self-protection
The capacity of citizens to self-protect against armed conflict has been transformed by the development of information and communications technologies. Cas
academic.oup.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Oh, and this is temporarily open-access, so click away!
academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...
academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
For nearly a century, the @washingtonpost’s foreign correspondents have been on the ground for the world’s most pressing stories. Now, our desk is facing potential steep cuts. Washington needs us. The world needs us. If you read us and need us, please watch this video and share.
January 29, 2026 at 11:32 PM
For nearly a century, the @washingtonpost’s foreign correspondents have been on the ground for the world’s most pressing stories. Now, our desk is facing potential steep cuts. Washington needs us. The world needs us. If you read us and need us, please watch this video and share.
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
In the latest Fellowship Spotlight, CISAC Fellow Elizabeth Good breaks down why meaningful inclusion matters for lasting peace and how gender expertise can reshape outcomes.
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/news/fellows...
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/news/fellows...
Fellowship Spotlight: Elizabeth Good
CISAC Fellow, Elizabeth Good, reflects on women's descriptive representation in peace negotiations and what meaningful inclusion requires for peace processes.
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu
January 29, 2026 at 5:51 PM
In the latest Fellowship Spotlight, CISAC Fellow Elizabeth Good breaks down why meaningful inclusion matters for lasting peace and how gender expertise can reshape outcomes.
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/news/fellows...
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/news/fellows...
Insightful and timely commentary by @oliverkaplan.bsky.social on ICE in Minneapolis
theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...
theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...
Anti-ICE protesters are following same nonviolent playbook used by people in war zones across the world to fight threats to their communities
Americans are learning and doing the kind of work that civilians in war zones worldwide have done for decades: dealing with threats by organizing to help protect their neighbors and communities.
theconversation.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Insightful and timely commentary by @oliverkaplan.bsky.social on ICE in Minneapolis
theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...
theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...
Terrific and thought provoking analysis by @andy-milburn.bsky.social on use of force in urban warfare — adding this to my class readings for next week’s class on IHL, military ops, and Gaza
Urban warfare is often invoked as an alibi: dense terrain, imperfect intelligence, an embedded adversary.
These conditions are real — but they do not explain outcomes.
What matters is how commanders allocate risk
My new piece in War on the Rocks: warontherocks.com/2026/01/gaza...
These conditions are real — but they do not explain outcomes.
What matters is how commanders allocate risk
My new piece in War on the Rocks: warontherocks.com/2026/01/gaza...
Gaza and the Conduct of Urban War: Civilian Harm, Risk, and Responsibility
Urban warfare is often invoked as an alibi: dense terrain, an embedded enemy, human shields, imperfect intelligence. These conditions are real but they do
warontherocks.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Terrific and thought provoking analysis by @andy-milburn.bsky.social on use of force in urban warfare — adding this to my class readings for next week’s class on IHL, military ops, and Gaza
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
4 years ago, I wrote a post on @justsecurity.org & @Verfassungsblog.de on recognizing soldiers who refuse to participate in aggressive war as refugees
www.justsecurity.org/80419/the-le...
verfassungsblog.de/the-legal-ob...
French practice:
www.lemonde.fr/en/france/ar...
amp.dw.com/en/fleeing-u...
www.justsecurity.org/80419/the-le...
verfassungsblog.de/the-legal-ob...
French practice:
www.lemonde.fr/en/france/ar...
amp.dw.com/en/fleeing-u...
The Legal Obligation to Recognize Russian Deserters as Refugees
States have an international legal obligation to assist soldiers who flee punishment for refusing to fight a war of aggression.
www.justsecurity.org
January 20, 2026 at 11:14 PM
4 years ago, I wrote a post on @justsecurity.org & @Verfassungsblog.de on recognizing soldiers who refuse to participate in aggressive war as refugees
www.justsecurity.org/80419/the-le...
verfassungsblog.de/the-legal-ob...
French practice:
www.lemonde.fr/en/france/ar...
amp.dw.com/en/fleeing-u...
www.justsecurity.org/80419/the-le...
verfassungsblog.de/the-legal-ob...
French practice:
www.lemonde.fr/en/france/ar...
amp.dw.com/en/fleeing-u...
Vital read from my friend @yguichaoua.bsky.social and @wlacher.bsky.social on the state of conflict studies
Incredibly timely vivisection of what remains of 'Conflict Studies' by @yguichaoua.bsky.social and @wlacher.bsky.social "the field morally collapsed from within, by remaining overwhelmingly silent in the face of Western-backed mass killing in Gaza." dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
The Demise of Conflict Studies - Dissent Magazine
An entire industry specializing in mediation, peacekeeping, disarmament, and transitional justice has become largely obsolete.
dissentmagazine.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Vital read from my friend @yguichaoua.bsky.social and @wlacher.bsky.social on the state of conflict studies
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
My latest - on the Venezuela Blockade. With my friend, Commodore (RAN ret'd) and Professor Rob McLaughlin. With thanks to the ever-professional team at @justsecurity.org
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
By top experts Mike Schmitt and Rob McLaughlin
“Execution of the blockade would constitute an act of aggression, which by definition is an unlawful use of force. It would also qualify as an armed attack by the United States on Venezuela.”
By top experts Mike Schmitt and Rob McLaughlin
“Execution of the blockade would constitute an act of aggression, which by definition is an unlawful use of force. It would also qualify as an armed attack by the United States on Venezuela.”
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
Expert analysis of the announced U.S. military blockade of Venezuela and international law.
www.justsecurity.org
December 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM
My latest - on the Venezuela Blockade. With my friend, Commodore (RAN ret'd) and Professor Rob McLaughlin. With thanks to the ever-professional team at @justsecurity.org
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
🎧 | Senior research scholar @andrewmbell.bsky.social joins Morning Edition to discuss why Donald Trump has ordered multiple boat strikes in the Caribbean, which have killed at least 80 people. Listen at the link below
omny.fm/shows/please...
omny.fm/shows/please...
Trump and the Caribbean boat strikes: Did a war crime occur? - The Morning Edition
The video is, according to those who have seen it, horrific to watch. Two sailors cling to the debris of a blown-up boat in the Caribbean, when they’re killed by a US military strike.
This occurred ...
omny.fm
December 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
🎧 | Senior research scholar @andrewmbell.bsky.social joins Morning Edition to discuss why Donald Trump has ordered multiple boat strikes in the Caribbean, which have killed at least 80 people. Listen at the link below
omny.fm/shows/please...
omny.fm/shows/please...
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
Psyched + humbled to see our SPEAKING SCIENCE TO POWER recognized as #1 Top Book in IR per @iajournal.bsky.social @chathamhouse.org (reviewed by @mgmessmer.bsky.social)
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
@epsteinprof.bsky.social @jaylyall.bsky.social @siecenter.bsky.social @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
@epsteinprof.bsky.social @jaylyall.bsky.social @siecenter.bsky.social @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Psyched + humbled to see our SPEAKING SCIENCE TO POWER recognized as #1 Top Book in IR per @iajournal.bsky.social @chathamhouse.org (reviewed by @mgmessmer.bsky.social)
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
@epsteinprof.bsky.social @jaylyall.bsky.social @siecenter.bsky.social @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
@epsteinprof.bsky.social @jaylyall.bsky.social @siecenter.bsky.social @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
New piece on the duty to investigate the boat strikes under IHRL and LOAC with my @unirdg-law.bsky.social University of Reading Law School colleague Marko Milanovic.
The 22 boat strikes have triggered an international obligation to investigate potential illegalities.
Michael Schmitt and Marko Milanovic discuss
- legal sources for the obligation to investigate
- criteria for carrying out independent investigation
www.justsecurity.org/127136/inter...
Michael Schmitt and Marko Milanovic discuss
- legal sources for the obligation to investigate
- criteria for carrying out independent investigation
www.justsecurity.org/127136/inter...
The International Law Obligation to Investigate the Boat Strikes
The lethal strikes are unlawful under IHRL and, even on the administration’s own terms, trigger LOAC and DoD duties to investigate.
www.justsecurity.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:49 PM
New piece on the duty to investigate the boat strikes under IHRL and LOAC with my @unirdg-law.bsky.social University of Reading Law School colleague Marko Milanovic.
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
Greatly expanded Q & A regarding Operation Southern Spear, potential operations against Venezuela, tanker seizures, and more. With @justsecurity.org colleagues @tessbridgeman.bsky.social & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social. Feel free to send more questions via the link at the end of the piece.
Weekend Special - updated with 11 new Q&A (including on seizure of sanctioned vessels) and expanded answer on law of proportionality and boat strikes involving the shipwrecked.
Expert Q&A
By @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, @rgoodlaw.bsky.social
Expert Q&A
By @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, @rgoodlaw.bsky.social
Expert Q&A on Operation Southern Spear and Seizure of Sanctioned Vessels
Expert Q&A on the U.S. lethal strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats on the high seas and more.
www.justsecurity.org
December 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Greatly expanded Q & A regarding Operation Southern Spear, potential operations against Venezuela, tanker seizures, and more. With @justsecurity.org colleagues @tessbridgeman.bsky.social & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social. Feel free to send more questions via the link at the end of the piece.
I had the opportunity to speak this week with Samantha Selinger-Morris and the @sydmorningherald.bsky.social Morning Edition on military impunity and Trump's targeting of Venezuelan drug boats--an unlawful, and extremely troubling, campaign
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...
Trump and the Caribbean boat strikes: Did a war crime occur?
Podcast Episode · The Morning Edition · 10/12/2025 · 25m
podcasts.apple.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I had the opportunity to speak this week with Samantha Selinger-Morris and the @sydmorningherald.bsky.social Morning Edition on military impunity and Trump's targeting of Venezuelan drug boats--an unlawful, and extremely troubling, campaign
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
Huge congrats to ISA President-elect @jimgoldgeier.bsky.social !! This is such great news! Looking forward to the great work he will be sure to do! 🎉🎊
December 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Huge congrats to ISA President-elect @jimgoldgeier.bsky.social !! This is such great news! Looking forward to the great work he will be sure to do! 🎉🎊
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
This #GeorgeAI is a terrible idea! A dismissing #GeorgeWashington would cross the Delaware-level terrible idea.
It risks distorting the #Founders and robbing them of their own historical context.
I say this as someone who thinks GW, the Founders, & their ideas are the foundation of our nation!
It risks distorting the #Founders and robbing them of their own historical context.
I say this as someone who thinks GW, the Founders, & their ideas are the foundation of our nation!
December 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
This #GeorgeAI is a terrible idea! A dismissing #GeorgeWashington would cross the Delaware-level terrible idea.
It risks distorting the #Founders and robbing them of their own historical context.
I say this as someone who thinks GW, the Founders, & their ideas are the foundation of our nation!
It risks distorting the #Founders and robbing them of their own historical context.
I say this as someone who thinks GW, the Founders, & their ideas are the foundation of our nation!
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
A new analysis argues the US killing of survivors from a Venezuelan drug-boat incident reflects a broader pattern of military actions carried out with impunity. CISAC scholar @andrewmbell.bsky.social explains implications for regional stability & international law
theconversation.com/us-accused-o...
theconversation.com/us-accused-o...
US accused of killing Venezuelan drug boat survivors – Trump’s military agenda is based on impunity
The Trump administration’s military strategy in Latin America breaches long-established legal rules and norms in three key ways.
theconversation.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:10 PM
A new analysis argues the US killing of survivors from a Venezuelan drug-boat incident reflects a broader pattern of military actions carried out with impunity. CISAC scholar @andrewmbell.bsky.social explains implications for regional stability & international law
theconversation.com/us-accused-o...
theconversation.com/us-accused-o...
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
My latest this AM with @warontherocks.bsky.social. Of note: "[Military officers] will be active participants with choices to make about the degree to which they continue to serve civilians intent on undermining the liberal values enshrined in the Constitution."
1/
warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
1/
warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
The Soldier in the Illiberal State is a Professional Dead End
The American political system today is indeed in crisis. Government function is in doubt, the administration has politicized and weaponized a previously
warontherocks.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:34 PM
My latest this AM with @warontherocks.bsky.social. Of note: "[Military officers] will be active participants with choices to make about the degree to which they continue to serve civilians intent on undermining the liberal values enshrined in the Constitution."
1/
warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
1/
warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
Really good discussion here between Todd Huntley and @ichotiner.bsky.social.
Highly recommended.
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
Highly recommended.
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
The Legal Consequences of Pete Hegseth’s “Kill Them All” Order
A former military judge on the Trump Administration’s contradictory—and likely unlawful—justifications for its Caribbean bombing campaign.
www.newyorker.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Really good discussion here between Todd Huntley and @ichotiner.bsky.social.
Highly recommended.
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
Highly recommended.
www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
Re #Hegseth Venezuela drug boat attacks: This is terrific insight into JSOC strike process but critically doesn’t include the role of JAG legal officers in targeting cycle.
Normally JAGs advise on LOAC/law issues for US strikes…unless something has gone horribly wrong (which it has)
Normally JAGs advise on LOAC/law issues for US strikes…unless something has gone horribly wrong (which it has)
JSOC and SEAL Team 6 have spent a decade-plus orchestrating drone strikes on land, including when Bradley was the Team 6 commander overseeing Somalia/Yemen strikes—and reattacks to kill survivors, who in a land context are not as categorically hors de combat as at sea, were routine during them:
December 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Re #Hegseth Venezuela drug boat attacks: This is terrific insight into JSOC strike process but critically doesn’t include the role of JAG legal officers in targeting cycle.
Normally JAGs advise on LOAC/law issues for US strikes…unless something has gone horribly wrong (which it has)
Normally JAGs advise on LOAC/law issues for US strikes…unless something has gone horribly wrong (which it has)
New in @theconversation.com: Thomas Gift & I discuss Trump admin's strikes on Venezuelan drug boat survivors and its overall agenda of military impunity- drawing on analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social @becingber.bsky.social @danmaurerlawprof.bsky.social and others theconversation.com/us-accused-o...
US accused of killing Venezuelan drug boat survivors – Trump’s military agenda is based on impunity
The Trump administration’s military strategy in Latin America breaches long-established legal rules and norms in three key ways.
theconversation.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM
New in @theconversation.com: Thomas Gift & I discuss Trump admin's strikes on Venezuelan drug boat survivors and its overall agenda of military impunity- drawing on analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social @becingber.bsky.social @danmaurerlawprof.bsky.social and others theconversation.com/us-accused-o...
Reposted by Andrew M Bell
Important piece by my @justsecurity.org colleague and former Navy JAG @marknevitt.bsky.social.
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
Killing Shipwrecked Survivors is Not Just Illegal—It Endangers U.S. Servicemembers
If the United States chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice.
www.justsecurity.org
December 1, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Important piece by my @justsecurity.org colleague and former Navy JAG @marknevitt.bsky.social.
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
By happenstance I'm visiting the Netherlands Defense Academy today....Was particularly moved by this essential Veteran's Day read nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
Opinion | If Only More Americans Could See This Place
nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:50 PM
By happenstance I'm visiting the Netherlands Defense Academy today....Was particularly moved by this essential Veteran's Day read nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...