2021 – PAX Protection of Civilians Conference

Counterterrorism Assistance to Chad for the Sahel: The price the people pay
Olivier Guiryanan - Just Security - September 2021
An op-ed by Olivier Guiryanan, about the effects of international security assistance to Chad. Relevant to session "International support to local security actors in the Sahel".

Chad’s Counterterrorism Support Abroad Drives Repression and Discontent at Home
Eugène Ngartebaye Le-Yotha - Just Security - September 2020
An op-ed by Eugène Ngartebaye Le-Yotha (BUCOFORE) about how Chad’s military participation in countering terrorism affects the fundamental freedoms of the citizens of Chad. Relevant to session "International support to local security actors in the Sahel".

Etats du Sahel - Une gouvernance désormais hypothéquée?
West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) - September 2018
A report about strategic infrastructure in Mali, Burkino Faso and Niger as target for terrorism in the Sahel region. Relevant to session “International support to local security actors in the Sahel”.

WARN Policy Brief: Burkina Faso - Renforcer la cohésion sociale et le processus de réconciliation: une voie pour des élections apaisées en 2020
West Africa Early Warning & Early Response Network - West Africa Network For Peacebuilding (WANEP) - June 2019
This report discusses the problems of reconciliation in Burkina Faso and analyzes three possible scenarios for peaceful elections in 2020. Relevant to session "International support to local security actors in the Sahel".

Thematic Report: La Démocratie en Afrique de I’Ouest: I’ère de Réformes Électorales à Risques?
West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) - July 2019
This short report provides an overview of the democratic landscape in West-Africa and analyzes the motivations and implementations of national electoral reforms. Based on the lessons learned from the reform processes, recommendations for de consilidation of peace and democracy are drawn. Relevant to session "International support to local security actors in the Sahel".

Thematic Report: La question des mandats illimités en Afrique de l’Ouest: Les risques de violence liés aux transitions démocratiques mal assumées
West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) - August 2021
A report by WANEP reflecting on violence linked to electoral issues and political transitions in West-Africa (2019 - 2021). The report further discusses the conditions that have contributed to violence and identifies best practices and lessons learned. Relevant to session "International support to local security actors in the Sahel".

A Tale of Two Pragmatisms: How to increase the meaningful participation of women in Afghanistan’s police force
Jorrit Kamminga - Oxfam - March 2020
This paper zooms in on inclusive security in Afghanistan by looking at the meaningful inclusion of Afghan women in the police force from two perspectives. Relevant to session "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

How America failed Afghanistan
Mike Jason - The Atlantic - August 2021
A reflection by Mike Jason on the rapid deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan in the weeks since the U.S. military pulled its troops out. Relevant to "Training local forces session 3: Applying lessons learned from Afghanistan to Iraq".

Pardoning war criminals will hurt US troops deployed overseas. I know from experience
Mike Jason - Tasks & Purpose
An op-ed by Mike Jason, about his experiences in Iraq and the importance of mutual trust. Relevant to "Training local forces session 3: Applying lessons learned from Afghanistan to Iraq".

Words are weapons… So use them wisely
Mike Jason - Military Review - September-October 2007
An op-ed by Mike Jason about the use of the word "partner" in Iraqi context. Relevant to "Training local forces session 3: Applying lessons learned from Afghanistan to Iraq".

Integrating the Advisory Effort in the Army: A full-spectrum solution
Mike Jason - September-October 2008
In this op-ed Mike Jason argues for the creation of a central advisory capability as part of US national defense, to provide full-spectrum operations including training, equipping, liaison, and access to combat multipliers for partners. Relevant to “Training local forces session 3: Applying lessons learned from Afghanistan to Iraq”.

Podcast episode with Mike Jason
Metina lista - September 2021
In this podcast interview Mike Jason talks about friends and enemies, about how wars have changed societies and countries, about the role of the media in American wars – on the front lines and among civilians. Relevant to "Training local forces session 3: Applying lessons learned from Afghanistan to Iraq".

I Was a Marine in Afghanistan. We Sacrificed Lives for a Lie.
MSNBC - August 19, 2021
Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, tells Lawrence O’Donnell in a MSNBC interview that “we need to break out of that mindset that the military is the solution to all our problems.” Relevant to: "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

Blame the Generals for Our Defeat in Afghanistan
New Republic / Timothy Kudo - July 12, 2021
New Republic guest blog ‘Blame the Generals for Our Defeat in Afghanistan’ on by Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Relevant to: "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

I Fought in Afghanistan. I Still Wonder, Was It Worth It?
New York Times / Timothy Kudo - April 14, 2021
New York Times guest blog ‘I Fought in Afghanistan. I Still Wonder, Was It Worth It?’ by Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Relevant to: "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

The Truth That Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Know
New York Times / Timothy Kudo - November 24, 2020
New York Times guest blog ‘The Truth That Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Know’ by Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Relevant to: "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

How We Learned to Kill
New York Times / Timothy Kudo - February 27, 2015
New York Times guest blog ‘How We Learned to Kill’ by Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Relevant to: "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

I killed people in Afghanistan. Was I right or wrong?
Washington Post / Timothy Kudo - January 25, 2013
Washington Post guest blog ‘I killed people in Afghanistan. Was I right or wrong?’ by Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Relevant to: "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

As a Marine and Afghan war vet, I’m insulted by the desecration video
Washington Post / Timothy Kudo - January 13, 2012
Washington Post guest blog ‘As a Marine and Afghan war vet, I’m insulted by the desecration video’ by Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Relevant to: "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

On War and Redemption
New York Times / Timothy Kudo - November 8, 2011
New York Times guest blog ‘On War and Redemption by Timothy Kudo, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Relevant to: "Training local forces session 1: Lessons learned from Afghanistan".

Collateral damage: crushing the myths of accuracy and accountability in modern warfare
Lauren Gould, Jolle Dremmers & Nora Stel - The Conversation - November 2021
An article about civilian harm caused by remote attacks in modern warfare.

Intimacies of Remote Warfare -  website
The Intimacies of Remote Warfare programme aims to inform the public about the intimate realities of the remote wars waged in their names.

Civilian Protection Podcast episode #1: More than numbers
PAX & CIVIC - June 29, 2021
In 2014, ISIS, also known as Daesh, seized the city of Mosul, Iraq, and a battle involving ISIS, American-led coalition forces, and national Iraqi forces ensued. It was then that Iraqi historian Omar Mohammed began to document cases of civilian harm on his anonymous blog, Mosul Eye, risking his life to ensure history would remember their names. This podcast is brought to you by Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and PAX. Guest: Omar Mohammed (Mosul Eye).

Civilian Protection Podcast episode #2: In Search of Answers
 PAX & CIVIC - August 12, 2021
Speaking with experts from Somalia and Yemen, this episode explores what happens after harm, and the challenges civilians face trying to get answers, recognition, and amends. This podcast is brought to you by Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and PAX. Guests: Abdullahi Hassan (Somalia Researcher, Amnesty International) and Bonyan Gamal (Accountability & Redress Officer, Mwatana for Human Rights)]

Hawija, Iraq. “We thought it was an operation to protect us. Not to harm us.”
Roos Boer - PAX - September 2021
How is the situation in Hawija, the Iraqi city that was hit hard by a Dutch bombardment? PAX traveled to the city to talk to its residents. Many of them lost family, income and a future. Colleague Roos Boer reports in this blog. Relevant to session "Hawija as told by residents" & "Waiting for accountability: 6 years after Hawija".

Seeing through the rubble - The civilian impact of the use of explosive weapons in the fight against ISIS
Roos Boer, Laurie Treffers & Chris Woods - Airwars & PAX - October 2020
Report by Airwars and PAX on the impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA) in Mosul, Raqqa and Hawija. Relevant to session "Hawija as told by residents" & "Waiting for accountability: 6 years after Hawija".

Survivors of Hawijah call for justice, two years after Dutch finally admitted role in 2015 catastrophe
Georgia Edwards & Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen - Airwars - November 2021
Interview with Saba Azeem and Roos Boer from PAX on their fieldwork in Hawija, Iraq, and the impact of the Dutch bombing as felt by civilians. Relevant to session "Hawija as told by residents" & "Waiting for accountability: 6 years after Hawija".

After Hawija: The Way Forward for the Dutch Ministry of Defence
Airwars, Amnesty, CIVIC, Open State Foundation, Utrecht University & PAX - June 2021
Statement by a consortium of NGOs on what the Dutch MoD should learn from Hawija and do differently in future conflicts. Relevant to session "Hawija as told by residents" & "Waiting for accountability: 6 years after Hawija".

Strategic ignorance and the legitimation of remote warfare: The Hawija bombardments
Lauren Gould & Nora Stel - Security Dialogue - October 2021
Academic article by Lauren Gould and Nora Stel on the discourse surrounding the Hawija airstrike by the Dutch military. Relevant to session "Hawija as told by residents" & "Waiting for accountability: 6 years after Hawija".

In the least wired country on earth, U.S. military asks airstrike victims to file complaints online
Nick Turse - The Intercept - June 2021
Newspaper article on US AFRICOM using leaflets to reach Somali civilians, contrasting this approach with the less effective online civilian casualty reporting channel. Relevant to session "Accountability in practice: Examples from ISAF and AFRICOM".

AFRICOM's Improved Civilian Casualty Reporting Channel Still Leaves Gaps for Somalia
Abdifatah Hassan Ali - Just Security - August 2021
This blog on Just Security discusses the limitations of AFRICOM's civilian casualty reporting channel in relation to the Somali context.  Relevant to  session"Accountability in practice: Examples from ISAF and AFRICOM".

The Hidden US War in Somalia
Amnesty International - March 2019
A detailed investigative report by Amnesty International, covering various cases of US-caused civilian deaths in Somalia and the lack of accountability. Relevant to session "Accountability in practice: Examples from ISAF and AFRICOM".

Monetary Payments for Civilian Harm in International and National Practice
Amsterdam International Law Clinic for CIVIC - University of Amsterdam - October 2013
A report that provides an overview of monetary payment practices by militaries, including the ex gratia payments made by ISAF Troop-Contributing Nations. Relevant to session "Accountability in practice: Examples from ISAF and AFRICOM".

Ex-gratia Payments in Afghanistan: A Case for Standing Policy for the US Military
CIVIC - May 2015
A CIVIC brief on the practice of ex-gratia payments in Afghanistan by ISAF. Relevant to session "Accountability in practice: Examples from ISAF and AFRICOM".

Human security and the military role
Norwegian Armed Forces - E-learning
An e-learning program developed on the basis of a ten year research project at FFI (Norwegian Defence Research Establishment) introducing a systematic concept to analyse the variations in threats to civilians in armed conflicts and a methodological approach to operational planning to tailor protection accordingly.

Women, Peace and Security: Prevention and Resolution of Communal Conflicts
Jana Krause - Folke Bernadotte Academy, PRIO & UN Women - November 2020
Short article about how communal conflicts relate to women’s and men’s protection from (sexual) violence, unequal gender relations and the risk of conflict, and women’s participation in local peacebuilding and sustainable peace.

Civilian Protection Podcast episode #3: People-centered Peacekeeping
PAX & CIVIC - October 28, 2021
Speaking with experts from the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and United Nations Headquarters, this episode explores the need for applying a people-centered approach in peacekeeping contexts and the complexities of effectively implementing this approach. This podcast is brought to you by Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and PAX. Guests: Kessy Ekomo Soignet (Founder and executive director of youth-led NGO URU & General Director Peace and Development Watch), Geoffrey L. Duke (Director South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms – SSANSA) and Marco Donati, Civil Affairs Team Leader, United Nations Department of Peace Operations (DPO).

Future urban conflict-technology and the protection of civilians
Dr. David Kilcullen & Gordon Pendleton - Stimson Center - June 2021
This policy paper examines the unique PoC challenges posed by high intensity conflict in built-up urban areas and how emerging technologies will impact both civilians and the cities in which they live. Relevant to session "Keynote speech by Adm. James G. Stavridis: Lessons on the protection of civilians for future conflict".

The Protection of Civilians within Collective Defense
Andrew Atkinson - November 2021
This policy paper examines the relevance for NATO of PoC in Article 5 Operations and the Strategic importance of this theme for the Alliance. Relevant to session "Keynote speech by Adm. James G. Stavridis: Lessons on the protection of civilians for future conflict".

A political and diplomatic case for PoC at NATO
Andrew Hyde - Stimson Center - September 2021
In this article, Andrew Hyde argues for a re-focus of political attention by NATO on PoC implementation, with a specific focus on resourcing and adapting the concept to address new threats. Relevant to session "Championing PoC in international and regional organizations: Political workshop" (invite-only, no video available).