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What is being discovered in #Syria is appalling but not at all surprising. Mass graves are a tool of brutal efficiency for regimes that do not value human life or individual dignity. And when those regimes fall and the graves are discovered, there's an inherent tension that emerges - is it better to work quickly to recover and identify the remains so the victims' families can have a modicum of closure, or must that important interest be held at-bay while the painstaking and often years'-long work of forensically examining these sites can be done, to preserve evidence for trails of war crimes and crimes against humanity? I explored this dynamic several years ago in the context of my experience working on regime #accountability in Iraq (focusing more on genocide than other atrocity crimes). Further improvements in investigative methods - especially those leveraging technology - and international legal framework updates brought on in the wake of ISIS's crimes, likely impact the analysis somewhat, but the themes explored and best practices proffered in this paper remain relevant today as Syrians forge their future. https://lnkd.in/e4Sxwkep #massgraves #warcrimes #crimesagainsthumanity #humanrights #internationallaw

It was a huge honor to be asked to contribute as one of the 50 American experts in national security, intelligence, defense, and global politics selected to author a chapter in a new book 📕“IMAGINE: Winning the New Cold War” 📕 - answering two simple questions: 1️⃣ Are we in a New Cold War? 2️⃣ If so, how can we prevail? My own answers begin with a story I once heard about former CIA Director Richard Helms at the onset of the first Cold War between communism and the free world when he drew on his OSS experiences as they fought a pitched global irregular war against ideological fascism in Europe and fanatical ethnic supremacy in the Pacific. Based on those lessons are two excerpts from my chapter titled “The Counterpitch: Upholding American Values in a New Cold War”: 1) “Ultimately, we will win foreign policy points only when we elevate our partners into allies, convert neutrals into partners and deescalate our adversaries through a clear assertion of our ideological, strategic, tactical and technological overmatch. The values we oppose will define us in this effort. As New Cold Warriors, we must have both a sales “pitch” to the nations and societies not engaged in the fight, and a “counterpitch” to make directly to our global competition. And once again, we will find victory in Helms’ intangibles – in the values, humans and trust that remain more important than technology, hardware or policy memoranda. It’s a stronger approach than the state-powered repression and subjugation of individual choice shared by America’s most dangerous state adversaries.” - 2) “We can all share the conviction that our values, our way of life, and our respect for individual humanity stand as superior products in the global competition of ideas.” — 🇺🇸 The responses from the other amazing book contributors are compelling and diverse. While there’s unanimous agreement among all of us that the U.S. and our allies face grave hybrid threats from an axis of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, the strategies proposed to overcome these challenges vary widely—from winning technology races to military readiness to sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening the Republic’s own internal foundations. Yet, despite the complexity and magnitude of the threats in this New Cold War, there’s a powerful thread running through every single one of the contributions: unwavering hope in America’s resilience, character, and capacity to triumph. This collective belief forms the foundations of inspiring and actionable strategic direction to win the New Cold War—rooted in the strength and spirit of the American people. Our challenges are great, but so is our potential! 🙏 Hope you might check it out, this project brought a truly nonpartisan group of 50 warriors, scholars, and citizens together! Amazon & Kindle Book Link: https://lnkd.in/gUbbRq-6 #newcoldwar #hybridwarfare #irregularwarfare #nationalsecurity #intelligence

I first met Darrell Blocker over thirty years ago when we were working in the Horn of Africa. My old comrade in arms still has my back. Darrell recently came to Boston to visit with BU ROTC’s cadets and midshipmen. He gave three impactful presentations and served as our keynote speaker at BU’s Veterans’ Day ceremony. He also was the guest of honor at BU’s Veterans’ Day Social. Thank you, Darrell, for generously sharing your insights and experiences with our students.

On ground in Ukraine this week. Until now I was looking at the invasion through my maritime international law research. I had no idea of the constant threat to every Ukrainian every day. This is only my 3rd night in Ukraine. It took three days prior to arrive, because airports are shut down in Ukraine. The routing is through Europe to krakow or Warsaw, then a 7 hour drive to the poland - ukraine border, a 3 -8 hour crossing (even with a polish citizen driver) and then another 6-7 hour drive to Kiev. It is a big country. Ukraine has strict curfews- no one allowed on roads at night. Timing is critical! Upon entering Ukraine we loaded air alert apps on our cellphones. The app signals (quite loudly) when Russia launches missiles/migs/drones toward Ukraine and warns you to immediately shelter (underground). Air alerts are nightly, and because the heading is initially uncertain, every civilian in the country must feel relentlessly under attack. It is one thing when you are arned forces deployed to a war zone prepared and signed up to fight, but this is on Ukrainian homeland, with civilian casualties daily, as well as massive destruction of homes/infrastructure. Last night President Zelensky shut down the energy grid based upon threats & I learned that rolling blackouts are fairly common. There is also chemicals, hazardous debris, and radiation released into the air and water where Ukrainian kids are growing up. I am tucked away in the basement shelter of our hotel spending my night on a mat and pillows (and my iPhone), and will be back with my family soon enough. I am taking all precautions and feel safe. But pray for those in the east and coastal oblasts being pummeled daily, and the civilian mariners shelled aboard neutral vessels exporting grain. The death tolls are staggering. The Russians have lost over 800k soldiers to date . The Ukrainians are losing soldiers and civilians. In October, they lost 480 sqkms of land, and another critical dam. Attacks are back up on both land and sea. I cannot say enough of the courage & fortitude of the Ukrainian people, paying a steep price as the buffer to democracies to its west. I am grateful to work with the toughest international legal scholars and practitioners in the Intenational Criminal Justice Initiative. This American and International group is supporting Ukrainians on war crime investigations and prosecutions! Council on Foreign Relations U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Coast Guard Women's Leadership Initiative U.S. Coast Guard Judge Advocate General Lexpat Global Services, LLC American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative The Maritime Law Association of the United States International Maritime Organization

Honored to return to the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies to discuss women, peace and security with military law and justice professionals from around the globe. As a retired U.S. Army Judge Advocate and former USAID Regional Legal Officer who worked in peace and security for many years, I was inspired by the insightful questions and observations from the students. The data is clear: for lasting peace, women must be a part of the entire process! #DIILS #WomenPeaceSecurity Lexpat Global Services, LLC #USAID #JAGC