Policy Analysis

305194
21 Nov, 2025
Policy

Toolkit launch: Operationalising the declaration on civilian harm from explosive weapons in populated areas

Airwars and Article 36 launch new practical implementation resource for the EWIPA declaration.
300339
ceasefire.org
11 Nov, 2025
Policy, Report

Civilian harm mitigation in large-scale combat operations: lessons for UK defence

Writing for Ceasefire, Airwars' Policy Specialist lays out noticeable gaps in the UK approach to tracking, mitigating, and responding to civilian harm
287711
civilianprotectionmonitor.org
24 Oct, 2025
Policy

Civilian harm in the campaign against ISIS: An updated transparency audit

Airwars' policy volunteer Jessica Garlasco reviews current transparency mechanisms in major militaries
228428
justsecurity.org
14 Aug, 2025
Policy

In preparing for large-scale conflicts, states neglect lessons on civilian protection at their peril

Airwars' Policy Specialist and colleagues at the Civilian Protection Monitor set out the continued need for civilian protection in large-scale wars
220970
civilianprotectionmonitor.org
6 Aug, 2025
Policy

The Netherlands expands its civilian harm mitigation and response mechanisms

Writing on the Civilian Protection Monitor, Airwars' policy specialist analyses new developments in the Netherlands
141085
15 Apr, 2025
Policy, Update

Airwars and PAX launch major new assessment tool for state efforts to protect civilians

Civilian Protection Monitor offers new framework to assess how states protect civilians from their military actions
173139
justsecurity.org
11 Apr, 2025
Policy

The Netherlands apologises for involvement in Hawija airstrike and lays out further reforms

Writing for Just Security, Airwars Policy Specialist Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen delves into recent developments in the Netherlands
135979
14 Mar, 2025
Policy

Dutch MoD releases results of largest ever assessment of civilian harm allegations from the war against ISIS

Release marks unprecedented transparency in military casualty reviews
173201
opiniojuris.org
24 May, 2024
Policy

Policy recommendations to meaningfully mitigate civilian harm in military operations: a view from the Netherlands (part II)

Writing for Opinio Juris, Airwars' Board Member and Policy Specialist analyse latest Dutch developments
173201
opiniojuris.org
24 May, 2024
Policy

Policy recommendations to meaningfully mitigate civilian harm in military operations: a view from the Netherlands (part I)

Writing for Opinio Juris, Airwars' Board Member and Policy Specialist analyse latest Dutch developments
110513
23 May, 2024
Policy

Looking back to look forward: recommendations for the Dutch MoD on civilian harm mitigation

The results of a four-year review with the Dutch military
173173
justsecurity.org
1 May, 2024
Policy

US-UK strikes in Yemen raise questions about commitments on civilian harm mitigation

Writing for Just Security, Airwars' Policy Specialist raises questions on US and UK commitments to civilian protection in Yemen
173582
18 Apr, 2024
Policy

Workshop report: exploring military perspectives on the Explosive Weapons declaration

Proposals explore implementing the explosive weapons declaration and better protecting civilians
98081
22 Dec, 2023
Policy
Iraq

Dutch Ministry of Defence announces new civilian harm reporting mechanisms

Process should allow civilians and NGOs to formally report allegations of military-caused harm
91654
14 Jul, 2023
Policy

United Nations urges states to support casualty recording

Breakthrough report directly links casualty recording and human rights obligations
84862
3 Jul, 2023
Policy
Syria

Airwars joins call for a robust and transparent investigation in response to recent US strike in Syria

Coalition of rights groups demands Pentagon accountability after strike on 'Al-Qaeda leader' kills Syrian farmer
89534
23 Jun, 2023
Policy, Research
Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria

“This is not a small mistake”

Declassified Pentagon files reveal systemic failures in target identification that led to civilian deaths, from mistaking children for weapons to faulty surveillance
89437
5 Jun, 2023
Policy
Iraq

Hawijah: Eight years on, civilians are still waiting for answers

Nearly a decade after deadly Dutch strike, survivors fight for recognition
1440
5 Apr, 2023
Policy, Update
Iraq, Syria

Airwars to challenge UK’s refusal to reveal details of sole civilian harm incident in ISIS war

Freedom of Information case step towards accountability for victims' families
85476
25 Nov, 2022
Policy

What next for the Explosive Weapons declaration?

When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, over 90% of those harmed are civilians. This declaration could curb such use; success depends on honest implementation
85450
23 Nov, 2022
Policy
Iraq, Syria, Ukraine

SNP launches paper on the protection of civilians with extensive civil society input

How a future independent Scotland would conduct conflict and protect civilians
82716
27 Oct, 2022
Policy
Iraq, Syria

Dutch Parliament set to debate improvements in policies to protect civilians

Airwars and PAX brief Dutch MPs
50231
26 Aug, 2022
Policy

United States new Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan cautiously welcomed by civil society

Airwars joins our civil society partners in welcoming the publication of the much awaited Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP), released yesterday by the US Department of Defense. The CHMR-AP reflects a years-long process of sustained pressure by individuals, civil society, journalists, activists and legislators to challenge the way the US military conducts […]
84030
8 Jul, 2022
Policy
Iraq, Syria

Civil society releases joint recommendations for US Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Plan

Recommendations published today urge the Department of Defense to revise its assessment and investigation processes, including through practical steps such as routinely engaging with civil society to ensure that civilian harm policies are informed by civilians affected by US and partnered actions, and casualties are recorded and tracked through transparent processes that are fit for […]
83699
27 May, 2022
Policy
Iraq, Syria

Airwars joins ten civil society organisations to call for the UK to urgently address civilian harm policies

As the UN Secretary General’s annual Protection of Civilians report welcomes steps by the United States to develop new civilian harm mitigation and tracking mechanisms, a coalition of civil society organisations specialised in the subject call on the United Kingdom to follow suit. After devastating revelations published in The New York Times late last year […]
82716
22 Apr, 2022
Policy
Iraq

After Hawija: Dutch Ministry of Defence maps route forward

The Dutch Ministry of Defence, Defensie, has finally outlined to Parliament the steps it expects to take in both the short and long term, to address civilian casualties from Dutch actions. Since late 2020, Airwars has been part of a consortium of civil society and academic organisations working with the Defensie to help improve the […]
82634
8 Apr, 2022
Policy

As key Geneva meet ends, states edge towards explosive weapons deal

States edged closer to a political declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas on April 8th, after three days of crunch talks in Geneva. More than 65 states descended on the Swiss city for key talks on the wording of a political declaration that advocates believe would save thousands of lives by […]
82551
5 Apr, 2022
Policy

At key Geneva meet, US and allies to be pushed on urban warfare restrictions

State delegates from around the world will meet this week in Geneva for UN-backed crunch talks, working towards a political declaration on restricting the use of wide area effect explosive weapons in urban conflict. If successful, the move could help save thousands of civilian lives. Representatives from more than 60 countries will meet from April […]
173699
16 Dec, 2021
Policy

Debunking “collateral damage:” Airwars report launch on civilian harm

Airwars held the launch event for a new report on civilian harm in Israel and Gaza, bringing together British and European MPs with global experts on civilian protection in urban environments.
79839
3 Dec, 2021
Policy
Iraq

Fresh revelations show Hawijah’s people are still far from receiving answers on deadly 2015 Dutch airstrike

More than six years after much of the Iraqi city of Hawijah was devastated following a Dutch airstrike against ISIS, fresh revelations point to major ongoing problems for those seeking answers to the disaster in which at least 70 civilians died. Speaking at the annual PAX for Peace conference on the protection of civilians in […]