Just Security

Geopolitical tensions remain high across multiple fronts, including reports of no progress on the interim deal between Iran and the U.S., and ongoing movement restrictions in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Ukrainian attacks hit grain terminals at Novorossiysk, raising global fears about supply disruptions.

President Trump asserted that the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and demanded that Iran pay compensation for damages, including citing the 17 U.S. sailors killed on USS Cole. In separate conflicts, Russian attacks struck Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, while Ukraine is exploring shipping grain by rail through Moldova as an alternative export option due to Russian actions targeting the Odesa port hub.

The article asserts that despite its importance in crises, government services are often designed around bureaucracy rather than the people they serve, making access difficult and eroding public trust. To propose a solution, it offers a blueprint suggesting a new Cabinet-level Department of Services and giving implementation authority to a Deputy Chief of Staff for better delivery across all government levels.

The United States civil service has historically been vital to American democracy, but warning signs and operational cracks have caused public trust to wane. Past major statutory overhauls, such as the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 and the Civil Service Reform Act (1978), left the framework outdated compared to modern demands. Therefore, true reform requires creating a permanent blueprint for change rather than merely restoring previous systems.

The article analyzes the U.S. air campaign in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, which began on Feb. 28, targeting military and dual-use facilities. It examines the strategic effectiveness of airpower using principles from Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-02 and highlights the complexity of multi-domain conflicts involving naval fires, sanctions, and diplomacy.

The U.N. Security Council conducted a straw poll for seven candidates vying to become the next U.N. Secretary-General. While candidates agree on the U.N.'s indispensable role, they differ on addressing its challenges, with Rebeca Grynspan and others emphasizing institutional renewal and leadership, and others focusing on trust and delivery gaps.

The Alien Terrorist Removal Court, which had remained unused for thirty years, heard its first case. The Just Security Podcast episode discusses the court's purpose, its historical inactivity, and the implications of the first case for due process and the immigration system.

U.S. and Qatari officials report progress in negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with draft agreement language circulated. The U.S. has nearly depleted its stockpile of long-range missiles during the conflict with Iran, raising concerns about deterrence capabilities. A projectile attack on an Indian-flagged vessel near Yemen, attributed to the Houthis, and suspected Iranian cyberattacks on U.S. water utilities were also reported.

A cargo ship was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a crew abandoning the vessel with one seafarer missing. Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement to reopen shipping traffic through the strait, while Saudi-flagged supertankers are rerouting to avoid Houthi threats. Tensions persist amid U.S.-Iran discussions and lingering impacts from prior conflicts.

The Taliban's five-year regime in Afghanistan has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, including bans on education, public office, and freedom of movement. A campaign calling for 'gender apartheid' recognition faces mixed public response, with research showing legal framing as 'illegal' generates stronger policy support than labels like 'gender apartheid'.

Trump commented on Israel's plan to disarm Hamas and withdraw from Gaza, but Israeli officials rejected the plan as insufficient. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 18 Palestinians in Gaza, while the U.S. struck a family home on Iran’s Qeshm Island, and Iran attacked a U.S. military base in Kuwait.

Ukraine's civil society has been a critical source of strength during its conflict with Russia, mobilizing private funds, delivering military aid, and driving technological innovation. The article highlights how democratic resilience, supported by U.S. and European allies, enhances national security by empowering civic groups and fostering innovation.

China assumed the role of 'penholder' for the first time in guiding the UN Security Council's renewal of the UNAMA mandate in Afghanistan, marking a shift in Beijing's diplomatic approach. The move reflects China's growing economic and security interests in Afghanistan, despite initial resistance from the US and competition from Pakistan and South Korea.

President Trump announced an agreement between the Board of Peace, Hamas, and Israel for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, with reciprocal steps over seven to eight months. Iran urged Bulgaria to reverse U.S. military deployment approval and criticized Cyprus for potential anti-Iran military bases. Saudi Arabia formed a multinational maritime defense coalition with 14 countries to secure regional shipping routes, while Yemen’s Houthis conducted coordinated attacks on Saudi Arabia. A cyberattack on Minnesota’s water systems is suspected to involve Iranian hackers.

The Israel-Lebanon Trilateral Framework Agreement, signed on June 26 with U.S. support, aims to end the conflict between the two countries by establishing peaceful relations, facilitating Israeli withdrawal, and addressing Hezbollah as a key conflict driver. The agreement includes provisions for working groups, confidence-building measures, and negotiations to achieve lasting peace, but Article 13 has drawn criticism for potentially limiting accountability for past conflicts.

The article discusses the challenges of governing AI in military contexts, highlighting efforts by states to establish legal frameworks for AI use in warfare. It notes the divided stance among nations, with some advocating for binding regulations on lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) while others resist constraints on their military AI capabilities. The United Nations has initiated informal dialogues to address these issues, aiming to create a unified governance structure.

U.S. Central Command announced strikes on Iran in response to Iranian attacks on U.S. military assets, resulting in casualties in Qeshm. An Iranian strike damaged a Chinese firm's building in Kuwait, killing a worker, while fires in Egypt's Damietta port were preliminarily linked to a drone. President Trump discussed Iran strategies with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, reviewing diplomatic, economic, and military options.

The Department of Justice filed its first application to activate the Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), a specialized federal court established in 1996 for cases involving 'alien terrorists.' The ATRC requires secret consideration of applications and public hearings if approved, with potential appeals to the D.C. Circuit. While the DOJ's motives are questioned due to past policies, the ATRC's activation could improve due process for noncitizens and highlight the need for immigration reform.

The United Nations faces a limited pool of candidates for the next secretary-general, with only eight nominees and a lack of female representation despite growing calls for a woman to lead. Research highlights the need for more women candidates to address historic imbalances and strengthen leadership during critical global challenges.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging violations of four human rights treaties including genocide, racial discrimination, gender-based violence, and torture. The DRC claims Rwanda failed to prevent or punish these acts, particularly against Hutu and Nyindu communities, and is accused of supporting armed groups like the Mouvement du 23 mars/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC).