Mike Schmitt

Teamed up with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social to consider US threats against Iran and a potential attack. Assessment? Unlawful.

The Justice Department's OLC claims that assisting in war-sustaining activities amounts to direct participation, opening the individuals concerned to attack. It does not, as Charlie Trumbull and I explain

My thoughts on seizing a neutral tanker with law of naval warfare experts, Rob and Conor McLaughlin

Thoughts on Maduro's POW status.

Always learn so much from writing with new co-authors, and that was certainly the case with Tracey Begley and @brfarley.bsky.social. Real professionals who embrace teamwork and are a joy to work with. And, as always, thanks to the entire @justsecurity.org team.

The Carney doctrine Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech

1/ This is what the world moving on without us looks like:

paulwells.substack.com/p/the-carney...

Analysis of whether international law would allow the acquisition of Greenland, with the ever-insightful (and joy to work with) @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, Co-Editor-in-Chief of @justsecurity.org.

My latest - using unmarked aircraft to attack an alleged drug boat

New post by Professor @mikeschmitt.bsky.social for @justsecurity.org.

The North Atlantic Treaty and a U.S. Attack on Denmark Would NATO have to defend Denmark if the United States attempted to seize Greenland forcibly? An analysis of NATO Article 5 obligations.

Expert backgrounder

What are the obligations of the NATO member States in coming to the assistance of Denmark if the United States uses force against Greenland?

An examination of Article 5 of the Alliance and decision-making process.

By @mikeschmitt.bsky.social

My thoughts on whether NATO Allies would be obligated to come to Denmark's assistance if (I can't believe I am saying this) the United States were to attack. Answer: Yes.

An update to the Venezuela Q&A with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social, who always have something significant and insightful to say.

International Law and the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement Operations in Venezuela Experts survey the international law issues of Operation Absolute Resolve.

My latest with the phenomenal @rgoodlaw.bsky.social and @mikeschmitt.bsky.social:

International Law and the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement Operations in Venezuela

www.justsecurity.org/127981/inter...

I believe folks know the important work we're doing at @justsecurity.org, especially in these challenging times.

But we made this short video as a reminder!

We really need your support this #GivingTuesday.

For tax-deductible gifts: justsecurity.org/donate/

My thoughts with Just Security colleagues @rgoodlaw.bsky.social and @tessbridgeman.bsky.social on Saturday's U.S. operations into Venezuela and the international law issues they raised.

Attacking Drug Cartels in the Territory of Another State U.S. lethal operations against suspected cartel-affiliated individuals to date stretch applicable international law beyond recognition.

With President Trump saying U.S. "knocked out ... a big plant, or a big facility, where the ships come from" in Venezuela campaign.

Also told CNN: "It was along the shore."

Excellent expert analysis from October by @mikeschmitt.bsky.social:

Attacking Drug Cartels in the Territory of Another State

My analysis of the Syrian strikes against ISIS with Just Security EiC @rgoodlaw.bsky.social

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

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.

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.

Operation Southern Spear: Why the Crews, Drugs, and Boats are Not Targetable A deep dive on the international law applicable to the U.S. military's lethal operations against suspected drug boats

Excellent step-by-step analysis of the legal issues in the Trump administration's murderous boat-strike campaign by @tessbridgeman.bsky.social @mikeschmitt.bsky.social & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social in @justsecurity.org--starting with no NIAC and ending with no targets: www.justsecurity.org/126553/opera...

On the international targeting rules governing the campaign against the drug boats. BLUF, there is no international law basis for targeting the boats or the persons and drugs aboard them. With my @justsecurity.org colleagues, Co-Editors-in-Chief @tessbridgeman.bsky.social & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social.

Here we go -a few reminders to those covering this:

- These are killings outside of armed conflict
- There is no self-defense justification for the killings
- That makes them extrajudicial killings under int'l law; murder under domestic law
- No label ("narcoterrorist" or "DTO") changes any of that

U.S. Boat Strike Campaign: Questions Congress Should Ask A list of questions that should be answered by U.S. government officials regarding the lethal campaign against suspected drug traffickers.

As with past strikes:
- Carrying drugs, if true, cannot constitute hostilities or an armed attack.

- Killing [likely unknown] people paid to ferry drugs for an undisclosed group we're not at war with is not "combat." It is murder.

Qs that need answering:
www.justsecurity.org/126322/boat-...

Pleased to speak with the CBC yesterday about the latest developments in the Trump administration's killing spree at sea and the possibility of a US military intervention in Venezuela.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

In Honor of Françoise Hampson - Parsing Proportionality - Lieber Institute West Point This post explains how proportionality operates differently in jus ad bellum, LOAC, ICL, IHRL, and law of State responsibility.

. #Proportionality is one of the most widely used concepts in international law. However, its recurrence across different legal regimes should not lead to the mistaken assumption that it carries a single meaning, argues @mikeschmitt.bsky.social. lieber.westpoint.edu/parsing-prop...

(3/3) With thanks to our authors this week:

Jeremy Chin
Georgio Konstandi
Margaret Lin
Marko Milanovic
@mikeschmitt.bsky.social
@mrazeeq.bsky.social
Naomi Roht-Arriaza
Pavlina Pavlova
@rgoodlaw.bsky.social
@scott-levy.bsky.social
Thomas E. Brzozowski
@tomjoscelyn.bsky.social

In Honor of Françoise Hampson - Parsing Proportionality - Lieber Institute West Point This post explains how proportionality operates differently in jus ad bellum, LOAC, ICL, IHRL, and law of State responsibility.

My latest ... on the many faces of proportionality in international law. In honor of my dear friend Francoise Hampson, whom we all miss very much. lieber.westpoint.edu/parsing-prop...

Analysis of intelligence sharing in the context of the boat strikes with my friends @rgoodlaw.bsky.social and Marko Milanovic. Professional and personal pleasure to team up with these superstars.

Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (Nov. 10-14, 2025) Veterans Day • Russia-Ukraine War • U.S. military / Immigration • Israel-Hamas War • Anti-corruption series • Afghanistan • Violent extremism • Trump executive actions • U.S. foreign policy / Nigeria ...

(1/2) Catch up on our recent analysis:

• Veterans Day
• Russia-Ukraine War
• U.S. military / Immigration
• Israel-Hamas War
• Anti-corruption series
• Afghanistan
• Violent extremism
• Trump executive actions
• U.S. foreign policy / Nigeria
• Data privacy
• Latin America

My newest piece, with my friend @rgoodlaw.bsky.social and NYU's Anna Jimenez.