Tom Dannenbaum
@tomdannenbaum.bsky.social
Professor @law.stanford.edu | @stanfordcisac.bsky.social | @fsi.stanford.edu
International Law: IHL, ICL, IHRL, use of force, ethics
Editor, Just Security: https://shorturl.at/NuHYQ
Bio: https://law.stanford.edu/tom-dannenbaum/
Book: http://bit.ly/3HRrAs4
International Law: IHL, ICL, IHRL, use of force, ethics
Editor, Just Security: https://shorturl.at/NuHYQ
Bio: https://law.stanford.edu/tom-dannenbaum/
Book: http://bit.ly/3HRrAs4
November 8, 2025 at 8:20 PM
ICJ today:
Israel must
- agree to & facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza incl. in particular by UNRWA
- cooperate in good faith & provide any assistance to UNRWA
- not impede them
- not use starvation methods
www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
Israel must
- agree to & facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza incl. in particular by UNRWA
- cooperate in good faith & provide any assistance to UNRWA
- not impede them
- not use starvation methods
www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
October 22, 2025 at 6:10 PM
ICJ today:
Israel must
- agree to & facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza incl. in particular by UNRWA
- cooperate in good faith & provide any assistance to UNRWA
- not impede them
- not use starvation methods
www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
Israel must
- agree to & facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza incl. in particular by UNRWA
- cooperate in good faith & provide any assistance to UNRWA
- not impede them
- not use starvation methods
www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
A damning investigative piece from Reuters on the IDF's August 25 attack on Nasser Hospital in which Reuters journalist Hussam al-Masri was killed. The piece debunks the IDF's account & poses a series of key unanswered Qs.
I spoke to them about the law.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
I spoke to them about the law.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
September 26, 2025 at 5:29 PM
A damning investigative piece from Reuters on the IDF's August 25 attack on Nasser Hospital in which Reuters journalist Hussam al-Masri was killed. The piece debunks the IDF's account & poses a series of key unanswered Qs.
I spoke to them about the law.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
I spoke to them about the law.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
The intensification of vice signaling at the highest levels of government is chilling.
We are watching a concerted effort to eviscerate the very notion that there are any legal constraints at all on the use of force at home or abroad.
We are watching a concerted effort to eviscerate the very notion that there are any legal constraints at all on the use of force at home or abroad.
September 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The intensification of vice signaling at the highest levels of government is chilling.
We are watching a concerted effort to eviscerate the very notion that there are any legal constraints at all on the use of force at home or abroad.
We are watching a concerted effort to eviscerate the very notion that there are any legal constraints at all on the use of force at home or abroad.
Israeli hum rts orgs:
"We see no point in continuing a futile legal process that only serves the state: It allows it to continue exercizing unchecked power, starving innocent people, and denying them life-saving humanitarian aid — while presenting as if its hands are clean"
gisha.org/en/human-rig...
"We see no point in continuing a futile legal process that only serves the state: It allows it to continue exercizing unchecked power, starving innocent people, and denying them life-saving humanitarian aid — while presenting as if its hands are clean"
gisha.org/en/human-rig...
September 2, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Israeli hum rts orgs:
"We see no point in continuing a futile legal process that only serves the state: It allows it to continue exercizing unchecked power, starving innocent people, and denying them life-saving humanitarian aid — while presenting as if its hands are clean"
gisha.org/en/human-rig...
"We see no point in continuing a futile legal process that only serves the state: It allows it to continue exercizing unchecked power, starving innocent people, and denying them life-saving humanitarian aid — while presenting as if its hands are clean"
gisha.org/en/human-rig...
August 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A famine determination is, by definition, an alarm that comes too late. It is a mark of shame regarding what has already been done.
This is a stain on our collective conscience that will never be removed.
www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/us...
This is a stain on our collective conscience that will never be removed.
www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/us...
August 22, 2025 at 9:20 AM
A famine determination is, by definition, an alarm that comes too late. It is a mark of shame regarding what has already been done.
This is a stain on our collective conscience that will never be removed.
www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/us...
This is a stain on our collective conscience that will never be removed.
www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/us...
A continuing accumulation of offenses against the administration of justice
August 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A continuing accumulation of offenses against the administration of justice
New suit on speech-based deportation.
Plaintiffs incl. The Stanford Daily "where writers with student visas are declining assignments related to the conflict in the Middle East" & "two legal noncitizens with no criminal record who engaged in pro-Palestinian speech"
www.thefire.org/cases/stanfo...
Plaintiffs incl. The Stanford Daily "where writers with student visas are declining assignments related to the conflict in the Middle East" & "two legal noncitizens with no criminal record who engaged in pro-Palestinian speech"
www.thefire.org/cases/stanfo...
August 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
New suit on speech-based deportation.
Plaintiffs incl. The Stanford Daily "where writers with student visas are declining assignments related to the conflict in the Middle East" & "two legal noncitizens with no criminal record who engaged in pro-Palestinian speech"
www.thefire.org/cases/stanfo...
Plaintiffs incl. The Stanford Daily "where writers with student visas are declining assignments related to the conflict in the Middle East" & "two legal noncitizens with no criminal record who engaged in pro-Palestinian speech"
www.thefire.org/cases/stanfo...
It is worth reading this detailed investigative report in full. There are many important points. Among them is the straightforward debunking of efforts in some quarters to invoke the allegations against Karim Khan to impugn the arrest warrants in the Palestine situation.
August 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
It is worth reading this detailed investigative report in full. There are many important points. Among them is the straightforward debunking of efforts in some quarters to invoke the allegations against Karim Khan to impugn the arrest warrants in the Palestine situation.
Very rare for the ICRC:
"Every political hesitation" in failing to bring the "abhorrent" practice of extreme deprivation and indiscriminate attacks to an immediate and decisive end "will forever be judged as a collective failure to preserve humanity in war"
States "must do more"
"Every political hesitation" in failing to bring the "abhorrent" practice of extreme deprivation and indiscriminate attacks to an immediate and decisive end "will forever be judged as a collective failure to preserve humanity in war"
States "must do more"
July 25, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Very rare for the ICRC:
"Every political hesitation" in failing to bring the "abhorrent" practice of extreme deprivation and indiscriminate attacks to an immediate and decisive end "will forever be judged as a collective failure to preserve humanity in war"
States "must do more"
"Every political hesitation" in failing to bring the "abhorrent" practice of extreme deprivation and indiscriminate attacks to an immediate and decisive end "will forever be judged as a collective failure to preserve humanity in war"
States "must do more"
Do not look away.
July 22, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Do not look away.
A massive crime scene
-highest # malnutrition cases ever recorded by MSF in Gaza; patients in Gaza City clinic almost 4x in < 2 months
-⬆️premature babies due to malnutrition of pregnant women & poor water/sanitation svcs; 4-5 in 1 incubator
-women >6m pregnant often <40kg
www.msf.org/two-msf-faci...
-highest # malnutrition cases ever recorded by MSF in Gaza; patients in Gaza City clinic almost 4x in < 2 months
-⬆️premature babies due to malnutrition of pregnant women & poor water/sanitation svcs; 4-5 in 1 incubator
-women >6m pregnant often <40kg
www.msf.org/two-msf-faci...
July 11, 2025 at 9:10 PM
A massive crime scene
-highest # malnutrition cases ever recorded by MSF in Gaza; patients in Gaza City clinic almost 4x in < 2 months
-⬆️premature babies due to malnutrition of pregnant women & poor water/sanitation svcs; 4-5 in 1 incubator
-women >6m pregnant often <40kg
www.msf.org/two-msf-faci...
-highest # malnutrition cases ever recorded by MSF in Gaza; patients in Gaza City clinic almost 4x in < 2 months
-⬆️premature babies due to malnutrition of pregnant women & poor water/sanitation svcs; 4-5 in 1 incubator
-women >6m pregnant often <40kg
www.msf.org/two-msf-faci...
An insightful post by Miles Jackson on the ICC arrest warrants for Taliban leaders.
Key observations regarding the conceptualization of gender persecution, the scope of persecutory acts, the selection of 24(3)(b) as the mode of liability, & the pursuit of a judicial defendant.
Key observations regarding the conceptualization of gender persecution, the scope of persecutory acts, the selection of 24(3)(b) as the mode of liability, & the pursuit of a judicial defendant.
July 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM
An insightful post by Miles Jackson on the ICC arrest warrants for Taliban leaders.
Key observations regarding the conceptualization of gender persecution, the scope of persecutory acts, the selection of 24(3)(b) as the mode of liability, & the pursuit of a judicial defendant.
Key observations regarding the conceptualization of gender persecution, the scope of persecutory acts, the selection of 24(3)(b) as the mode of liability, & the pursuit of a judicial defendant.
Little detail on where things stand w/ possible Darfur warrant applications in today’s update to UNSC.
Only that this priority is “being progressed.” Pics 1-2
www.icc-cpi.int/news/forty-f...
There is a good chance applications have been made under seal. Pics 3-4
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/apr...
Only that this priority is “being progressed.” Pics 1-2
www.icc-cpi.int/news/forty-f...
There is a good chance applications have been made under seal. Pics 3-4
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/apr...
July 10, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Little detail on where things stand w/ possible Darfur warrant applications in today’s update to UNSC.
Only that this priority is “being progressed.” Pics 1-2
www.icc-cpi.int/news/forty-f...
There is a good chance applications have been made under seal. Pics 3-4
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/apr...
Only that this priority is “being progressed.” Pics 1-2
www.icc-cpi.int/news/forty-f...
There is a good chance applications have been made under seal. Pics 3-4
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/apr...
UN Special Procedures’ Coordination Committee condemns US sanctions on Francesca Albanese
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
July 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
UN Special Procedures’ Coordination Committee condemns US sanctions on Francesca Albanese
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Carl Skau (WFP) on Gaza
-worst I’ve ever seen
-hard to find words to describe level of desperation
-WFP kitchens are empty
-teams working under simply impossible conditions
-*if given unfettered & safe access* have the food, capacity, & systems to assist entire population
www.wfp.org/news/wfp-del...
-worst I’ve ever seen
-hard to find words to describe level of desperation
-WFP kitchens are empty
-teams working under simply impossible conditions
-*if given unfettered & safe access* have the food, capacity, & systems to assist entire population
www.wfp.org/news/wfp-del...
July 10, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Carl Skau (WFP) on Gaza
-worst I’ve ever seen
-hard to find words to describe level of desperation
-WFP kitchens are empty
-teams working under simply impossible conditions
-*if given unfettered & safe access* have the food, capacity, & systems to assist entire population
www.wfp.org/news/wfp-del...
-worst I’ve ever seen
-hard to find words to describe level of desperation
-WFP kitchens are empty
-teams working under simply impossible conditions
-*if given unfettered & safe access* have the food, capacity, & systems to assist entire population
www.wfp.org/news/wfp-del...
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Haibatullah Akhundzada (Supreme Leader of the Taliban) & Abdul Hakim Haqqani (Chief Justice of the Taliban) for gender & political persecution in Afghanistan.
www.icc-cpi.int/news/situati...
1/2
www.icc-cpi.int/news/situati...
1/2
July 8, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Haibatullah Akhundzada (Supreme Leader of the Taliban) & Abdul Hakim Haqqani (Chief Justice of the Taliban) for gender & political persecution in Afghanistan.
www.icc-cpi.int/news/situati...
1/2
www.icc-cpi.int/news/situati...
1/2
Important MSF report on El Fasher & Zamzam atrocities
- mass killings
- sexual violence
- indiscriminate attacks
- attacks on & denied access to medical system
- starvation methods
- looting & destruction
- RSF targeting non-Arab (esp. Zaghawa) communities
www.msf.org/besieged-att...
- mass killings
- sexual violence
- indiscriminate attacks
- attacks on & denied access to medical system
- starvation methods
- looting & destruction
- RSF targeting non-Arab (esp. Zaghawa) communities
www.msf.org/besieged-att...
July 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Important MSF report on El Fasher & Zamzam atrocities
- mass killings
- sexual violence
- indiscriminate attacks
- attacks on & denied access to medical system
- starvation methods
- looting & destruction
- RSF targeting non-Arab (esp. Zaghawa) communities
www.msf.org/besieged-att...
- mass killings
- sexual violence
- indiscriminate attacks
- attacks on & denied access to medical system
- starvation methods
- looting & destruction
- RSF targeting non-Arab (esp. Zaghawa) communities
www.msf.org/besieged-att...
As over 200 aid organizations (docs.google.com/spreadsheets...) have emphasized, there is only one defensible path forward:
un.org/unispal/wp-c...
2/2
un.org/unispal/wp-c...
2/2
July 3, 2025 at 3:11 PM
As over 200 aid organizations (docs.google.com/spreadsheets...) have emphasized, there is only one defensible path forward:
un.org/unispal/wp-c...
2/2
un.org/unispal/wp-c...
2/2
For anyone still equivocating on whether there was a constitutional basis for the US strikes on Iran, here's Michael Glennon’s categorical and historically-informed assessment.
www.justsecurity.org/115931/us-at...
www.justsecurity.org/115931/us-at...
July 1, 2025 at 3:27 PM
For anyone still equivocating on whether there was a constitutional basis for the US strikes on Iran, here's Michael Glennon’s categorical and historically-informed assessment.
www.justsecurity.org/115931/us-at...
www.justsecurity.org/115931/us-at...
An important piece on Andrew Cayley’s experience leading the ICC investigation in the Palestine situation.
It includes chilling anonymous threats to physical security and damning details on the forewarning and impact of the US sanctions on ICC officials.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
It includes chilling anonymous threats to physical security and damning details on the forewarning and impact of the US sanctions on ICC officials.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
June 30, 2025 at 9:50 PM
An important piece on Andrew Cayley’s experience leading the ICC investigation in the Palestine situation.
It includes chilling anonymous threats to physical security and damning details on the forewarning and impact of the US sanctions on ICC officials.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
It includes chilling anonymous threats to physical security and damning details on the forewarning and impact of the US sanctions on ICC officials.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...