Ruben Stewart

How is tech changing the battlefield, today and tomorrow?

One trend that worries me: less human involvement through autonomous systems, but more civilian involvement through ‘Total Defence’ strategies.

Read my
@icrc.org
colleague @2eatsoup.bsky.social

info.icrc.org/e3t/Ctc/WY+1...

The shifting battlefield: technology, tactics, and the risk of blurring lines in warfare - Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog The accelerating integration of emerging technologies into armed conflict is transforming not only the tools of war, but its tactics, geography, participants and impact. Technological developments – f...

As technology transforms how wars are fought, civilians risk becoming more exposed than ever. My new blog explores how evolving tools and tactics are blurring lines on the battlefield.
blogs.icrc.org/law-and-poli...

The shifting battlefield: technology, tactics, and the risk of blurring lines in warfare - Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog The accelerating integration of emerging technologies into armed conflict is transforming not only the tools of war, but its tactics, geography, participants and impact. Technological developments – f...

The increasing occurrence urban warfare is one aspect of a broader trend: the blurring between warfare and civilian life. @2eatsoup.bsky.social writes a great think piece for @icrc.org on how the use of technology is allowing these two spheres to come even closer: blogs.icrc.org/law-and-poli...

From “total war” to “total defence”: tracing the origins of civilian involvement in armed conflict  - Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog How involving civilians in defence efforts can expose them to harm, complicate their legal protection, and increase the burden on states.

When civilians and civilian objects are mobilised it risks blurring lines and can endanger all. Total war & total defence are not new and the risks were as real in the time of Napoleon as they are today.
blogs.icrc.org/law-and-poli...

Artificial intelligence in the military domain: ICRC submits recommendations to UN Secretary-General

Humanity must not be delegated. As militaries adopt and integrate AI, preserving human control and judgment is absolutely essential. #IHL #AIinWar #HumanControl

www.icrc.org/en/article/a...

AI, war and (in)humanity: the role of human emotions in military decision-making Dr Joanna Wilson, Lecturer in Law at the University of the West of Scotland, calls for the 'rehumanization' of military decision-making.

Great to see the humanity of human control being reaffirmed - as important at the strategic level as it is for trigger pullers. It also rings true ref the concerns about trust between commanders and their digital subordinates or staff officers.
blogs.icrc.org/law-and-poli...

The First Humanitarian ICT Resolution: Ambitions and Limitations On 31 October 2024, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent adopted an unprecedented resolution on protecting civilians against the potential human cost of digital activities…

Progress! www.ejiltalk.org/the-first-hu...

MILITARY TRAINING IN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW: HOW IHL CAN INFLUENCE CONDUCT IN WAR This report examines how training in IHL and related norms of restraint (collectively labelled as “IHL norms” in this report) can shape combatant attitudes and, ultimately, military conduct. The findi...

A timely reminder of the role of commanders and the need to increase the intensity, scope and duration of International Humanitarian Law or LOAC training in the military if it is to have the intended effect. shop.icrc.org/military-tra...

Lawfare Daily: IHL and Private Tech in Conflict, with Jonathan Horowitz How could international humanitarian law affect the private digital sector?

On today's Lawfare Daily, @eugenia.bsky.social spoke to Jonathan Horowitz about how international humanitarian law can affect the private digital sector, the risks that tech companies can face when they provide services to a party in an armed conflict & what they should do to minimize those risks.

EVENT: Contemporary Armed Conflicts: Realities and How IHL Addresses them

Register now!
26 November (online) the ICRC’s Chief Legal Officer & Director of Operations will discuss the ICRC's quadrennial report "International Humanitarian Law & the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflicts”, with remarks by the ICRC Director General.
#IHL #IntLaw @icrclawpolicy.bsky.social

And touched down in the Sea of Tranquility

Could you add me please?

I know they’re just fireworks but I still hate that rapid succession of pops, cracks and thumps, even 20 years later. Got to find myself somewhere quieter for next NYE.

In light of recent reports about the use of AI for targeting this piece might help highlight some issues with that wavellroom.com/2023/11/10/a...