Georgetown Security Law Brief

U.S. military vows to track 800 satellites by October 1

03/31/09: Reuters reports that the U.S. military plans to begin tracking all 800 maneuverable spacecraft currently operating in space by October 1, a senior U.S. Air Force official said on Monday. Air Force Colonel Dusty Tyson, chief of the Pentagon's National Security Space Office, told reporters that in order to get access to the expanded tracking data, companies and satellite operators would have to sign a legal agreement with the U.S. government.

Rampage in Pakistan shows reach of militants

03/31/09: The New York Times comments that the vicious assault on a police academy in Manawan, Pakistan, on Monday by militants underscores how deeply the country has been mired in political wrangling since an election last year, with leaders fighting each other instead of joining efforts against the insurgency, which is slowly strangling the country. The government’s impotence will greatly complicate the Obama administration’s efforts to bring order to Afghanistan, whose militants slip through Pakistan’s porous borders.

Opinion: NATO can do better in Afghanistan

03/31/09: Abdullah Gul, the president of Turkey, has an opinion in the Wall Street Journal that argues international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and improve the lives of the Afghan people have fallen short of their targets. There is daily violence in the country and expectations continue to outpace achieved results. It is time for a policy shift. It is time for increased involvement.

US agrees to release another Gitmo detainee

03/31/09: The Miami Herald reports that the Obama administration has agreed to release another Guantanamo detainee, but officials aren't saying yet where he'll go. The Justice Department and lawyers for 38-year-old Aymen Saeed Batarfi have agreed to put his court case on hold while the government looks for a country to take him, according to papers filed in federal court in Washington.

Legal threat to security operation

03/30/09: The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the security operation at this week's G20 summit has been thrown into chaos because the entire network of central London's wireless security cameras will have to be turned off because of a legal ruling. The Department for Transport has ruled that Westminster Council's mobile road cameras - a third of the authority's security cameras - "do not fully meet the resolution standards required" and must be switched off by midnight tomorrow.

Americans planned to transport terror suspects to British territory

03/30/09: The Telegraph reports that White House officials looking as early as 2001 for the "legal equivalent to outer space" considered using the military base of Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean, new research from New York University reveals. The island was considered for its remote location and regular use by US forces but dismissed amid fears that British justice could protect the al-Qaeda suspects that would be housed there.

Events upcoming this week

Below the jump is a list of events for this week from our calendar.

US soldier pleads guilty to murdering bound Iraqi prisoner

03/30/09: The London Times reports that US Sergeant First Class Joseph P. Mayo pleaded guilty to murdering an Iraqi prisoner this morning, telling a court martial that he thought the shooting was in the best interests of his soldiers. Mayo and a group of fellow troops allegedly killed four bound and blindfolded Iraqi prisoners with pistol shots to the head before pushing their bodies into a Baghdad canal in 2007, according to media reports. The killings came after attacks on a US army patrol had killed two soldiers.

Obama says he is sharpening focus of war in Afghanistan

03/30/09: The Washington Post reports that President Obama said yesterday that his predecessor's administration had lost its "focus" on the war in Afghanistan, forcing the creation of a new strategy that is aimed narrowly at defeating the terrorists who run their operations from there and Pakistan. Obama stuck to discussing a battle against al-Qaeda and said little about the Taliban, which controls much of southern Afghanistan, where much of the fighting is taking place.

Pakistan’s President praises Obama and offers new concession to the oppposition

03/29/09: The New York Times reports that Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari promised, in an address to a joint session of Parliament, to ease domestic political turmoil and praised the Obama administration’s new policy to Pakistan as “positive change.” In a conciliatory gesture to the opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-N, Mr. Zardari said that he would lift the executive rule he had imposed on Punjab Province, the most populous province in Pakistan and one where the opposition party holds the most seats in the legislature.

US and Iran open Afghanistan peace talks

03/29/09: The Times reports Iranian and American officials have held their first talks about ending the war in Afghanistan amid signs that President Barack Obama’s efforts to thaw relations with Tehran are paying off. The United States and Iran have not had full diplomatic ties for almost three decades. “We see this as a very productive area for engagement in the future,” said an American official after the meeting.

Opinion: Afghanistan can become a stable state

03/29/09: An International Herald Tribune opinion article compares the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s with the current US-lead occupation, stating that what Afghans want is for international forces to do what they should have been doing all along — provide them the security they need to get on with making a living. The article concludes that with the proper support and tactics Afghanistan may return to something like the state it was before the Soviets invaded in 1979: a relatively peaceful country slowly building itself into something more than a purely agricultural economy.

NATO seeks $2 billion to bolster Afghan forces

03/29/09: The Financial Times reports that NATO is seeking $2 billion a year from the international community to bolster Afghanistan’s security forces, according to Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, secretary-general of the alliance. Drumming up support for US plans to expand and sustain the Afghan national army and police will be the central issue for Tuesday’s international conference on Afghanistan and this weekend’s NATO summit.

Human Rights Watch says Syria security court is troubling

03/29/09: Jurist reports that Humans Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the resumption of activities by Syria's Supreme State Security Court, and called for its dissolution. HRW called the court's activities a violation of the right to a fair trial in part because it does not follow procedural rules of Syria's criminal courts and does not allow defendants to appeal its verdicts.

Detainee's harsh treatment foiled no plots

03/29/09: The Washington Post reports that the CIA’s harsh interrogation of Abu Zubaida, who was subjected to waterboarding, offered no actionable intelligence. The methods succeeded in breaking him, and the stories he told of al-Qaeda terrorism plots sent CIA officers around the globe chasing leads.  In the end though, not a single significant plot was foiled as a result of Abu Zubaida's tortured confessions, according to former senior government officials who closely followed the interrogations.

Event: careers in national security law

03/28/09: George Washington University Law School and the American Bar Association are  hosting a panel on careers in national security law on Monday, March 30th from 5:30-6:00PM at the Law School, 2000 H Street, NW, Room LL102, Washington, DC.
Click here to RSVP

Another counterterrorism strategy: mock them

03/28/09: The Washington Post reports that as President Obama announced a new strategy Friday to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda" in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In addition to new funding for Pakistan's democratic institutions and more U.S. troops to train the Afghan security forces, others are looking to a novel anti-terrorism tactic the president might consider: make al-Qaeda boring. Two specialists, Jamie Bartlett of the think tank Demos and McGill University psychologist Michael King have suggested “if you mock the extremists, their appeal will diminish.”

Event: Closing Guantánamo: Challenges and Opportunities for the Obama Administration

03/28/09: On March 30, 2009, Columbia University will host an event (which will also be webcast) focusing on comparative common law approaches to detention and interrogation of international terrorism suspects, how best to protect both national security and individual human rights, and preventive detention policies under the common law. Please see our calendar for details.

Human Rights Watch sends open letter to President Obama on Afghanistan

03/27/09: Human Rights Watch released an open letter to President Obama regarding the new US policy in Afghanistan. The letter states that Human Rights Watch welcomes the clear commitment to Afghanistan that has already been demonstrated by the Obama administration through public statements, the appointment of a special representative, and the initiation of several policy reviews, on issues including warlordism, transitional justice, and having a national Directorate of Security.

Russia considers changing its security regime in Chechnya

03/27/09: Reuters reports that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that improved security in Chechnya meant it was time to review tight restrictions that have been in force there for the past decade. Restrictions such as curfews, roadblocks, periodic searches and strict detention rules were imposed in Chechnya in 1999 when Russia sent troops to the region to end its short-lived independence.

UK cites counter-terrorism policies, conflict resolution as focus of 2008 rights efforts

03/27/09: Jurist reports that the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that it has focused on the effects of counter-terrorism efforts and global warming on human rights, as well as effective conflict resolution and the support of international institutions charged with protecting the rights in its Annual Report on Human Rights.

US judge orders Iran to pay for Hamas killings

03/27/09: The Miami Herald reports that U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina ordered Iran to pay $25 million plus interest to the family of Israeli soldier Nachshon Wachsman, who was kidnapped and executed by Hamas in 1994. Wachsman was a 19-year-old U.S. citizen and Israeli army corporal when he was taken by four members of Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the United States. His abduction damaged Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations at the time, as he pleaded on videotape for his life.

Algerian President visits militant stronghold seeking end to violence

03/27/09: The Miami Herald reports that Algeria’s President pleaded for national unity and an end to Algeria's violence as he campaigned for re-election in the Kabylie region, a hotbed of terrorists and a stronghold for the left-wing and ethnic Kabyle opposition. With its steep mountains and deep forests, the Kabyle region has become a stronghold for militants of al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa.

Ukraine PM calls for constitutional changes to define roles of president and parliament

03/27/09: Jurist reports that Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, called for constitutional changes to provide more separation between parliamentary and presidential powers. Tymoshenko said that she believed that the presidency should retain certain powers, but that parliament should be given clear ways to check those powers.

Event: A new way forward in Afghanistan

03/27/09: On April 3, 2009 at 12:00 pm the Center For American Progress will host an event to discuss the implications of the Obama administration's strategy for Afghanistan and the region.  See our calendar for details.

Event: UVa's National Security Law Institute conference

03/27/09: The University of Virginia Center for National Security Law has announced its annual two-week training program, from May 31 through June 12, 2009. This year’s program will include presentations by academics, military personnel, government officials, and others involved in national security law.  Please see our calendar for more details.

Opinion: The winnable war

03/27/09: David Brooks’ opinion piece in the New York Times argues that the war in Afghanistan is winnable.  Despite numerous obstacles Brooks concludes that America has the capacity to use military and civilian power to promote democracy, nurture civil society and rebuild failed states.

No trial for former Mexican President

03/27/09: The Miami Herald reports that a Mexican court on Thursday upheld a ruling that exempted former president Luis Echeverria from facing genocide charges for his alleged involvement in a 1968 student massacre. Echeverria, 87, was interior secretary in October 1968, when soldiers opened fire on a student demonstration in Mexico City's Tlatelolco Plaza just days before the city hosted the 19th Olympic Games. Official reports said 25 people were killed, but human rights activists say as many as 350 may have died.

Event: Dana Priest hosts online chat about national security

03/26/09: Washington Post reporter Dana Priest hosted an online chat today about national security topics in the news. She covered a variety of issues, including Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, our border with Mexico, Binyam Mohammed and the Tamil Tigers.

Event: National Security and Detainee Policy in the Obama Administration

03/26/09: On March 30, 2009, NYU School of Law’s American Constitution Society and Law Students for Human Rights will host a panel discussion on National Security and Detainee Policy in the Obama Administration.  Please see our calendar for details.

Former DHS Secretary joins Covington & Burling

03/26/09: Law.com reports that Covington & Burling has added a big name to its white-collar defense and investigations practice group -- former Department of Homeland Security secretary and federal appellate court judge Michael Chertoff.

Russia to raise efficiency in the fight against terrorism

03/26/09: The Lift reports that Russian minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov said at the 2009 Brussels Forum that “in a new treaty on security, we want to achieve a new quality of cooperation in the fight against terrorism, non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons and other threats and challenges that we face.” The initiative to work out a treaty on European security was put forward by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in June 2008.

Africa Command needs to redefine its mission

03/26/09: The New York Times reports that the Government Accountability Office released a report saying that new Africa Command is still recovering from early missteps in explaining its missions and purpose, miscues that government investigators say have left lingering fears at the State Department, in Congress and on the continent that the Defense Department is militarizing the nation’s foreign policy in Africa.

White House to keep FBI's focus on terrorism

03/26/09: The New York Times reports that the Obama administration is moving to solidify one of the most significant shifts of resources put into place under President Bush: the transformation of the DOJ and FBI into agencies where the top priority is counterterrorism rather than conventional law enforcement. Attorney General Eric Holder and FBI Director Robert Mueller have emphasized that he will not cut resources allocated to national security in the foreseeable future. Homeland Security Watch's coverage focuses on Director Mueller's remarks.

David Kris confimed to lead National Security Division at DOJ

03/25/09: The AP reports that the Senate confirmed David Kris 97-0 as the Assistant Attorney General in the National Security Division.

Event: ASIL conference this week

03/25/09: The American Society of International Law annual meeting is this week. Descriptions of several panels that may be of particular interest to our readers are after the jump.

US Army files complaint in Iraqi Court

03/25/09:  DVIDS reports that representatives from the U.S. Army filed a formal complaint in the Central Criminal Court of Iraq against 12 suspects who are alleged to be part of a terrorist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and is suspected of having ties to al-Qaida.  The complaint concerns a May 2007 ambush near Yusifiyah, Iraq, that resulted in the deaths of seven American Soldiers.

Weapons Intelligence Team provides battlefield forensics

03/25/09: DVIDS reports that the Weapons Intelligence Team (WIT) provides counter IED intelligence helping US and coalition forces prepare for future attacks by learning how the enemy operates.  The WIT focuses on collection, analysis and tactical exploitation in support of Multi-National Corps in Iraq.  As part of the Combined Joint Task Force Troy, the WIT is comprised of Air Force, Army and Navy personnel.

Georgian official denies existence of secret document

03/25/09: Civil Georgia reports that a Georgian official has strongly denied reports that President Saakashvili issued an order authorizing launch of military operations on August 7 "to restore constitutional order" in South Ossetia. The official said the report was "part of series of lies and misinformation” by Russia, which is attempting to mislead the EU war inquiry.

Six IRA suspects win challenge against their continued detention

03/25/09: The Times Online reports that six suspects questioned over the murder of security force members in Northern Ireland won a High Court challenge today against their continued detention. In a ruling that may have implications for UK anti-terror laws which provide for 28-day detention, police must now decide whether to charge them or set them free from their cells in Antrim police station.

Investigation into the Netherland’s role in Suriname coup

03/24/09: Caribbean News reports that a human rights group in the Netherlands is investigating whether it is possible to sue the Netherlands before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its alleged role in a February 1980 military coup in Suriname, which toppled the democratic elected Henck Arron-administration.

Scholarship: Two recent publications about civil liberties in the war on terror

"War About Terror: Civil Liberties and National Security After 9/11" (Council on Foreign Relations) by Daniel B. Prieto. This working paper argues that counterterrorism policies will be sustainable over the long term only if policymakers design them with the coequal objectives of improving national security and protecting civil liberties. On this basis, it offers findings and recommendations on U.S. detention and interrogation policy, and the domestic intelligence activities of the United States. HT to National Security Advisors.

“Our Nation Unhinged: The Human Consequences of the War on Terror” (University of California Press) by Peter Jan Honigsberg (University of San Francisco).  This is the story of the Bush administration's response to the attacks of September 11, 2001—and of how we have been led down a path of executive abuses, human tragedies, abandonment of the Constitution, and the erosion of due process and liberty. In this book, Peter Jan Honigsberg chronicles the black hole of the American judicial system from 2001 to the present, providing an incisive analysis of exactly what we have lost over the past seven years and where we are now headed. The book includes the stories of Jose Padilla, Omar Khadr, John Walker Lindh, and hunger strikers at Guantanamo.  HT to National Security Advisors.

Opinion: Combat and community in Afghanistan

03/24/09: The New York Times has an opinion piece by David Brooks discussing the National Solidarity Project in Afghan villages.  Under the program, villages elect Community Development Councils, which are given up to $60,000 by Western aid agencies to do local projects.  Brooks argues that it is not the projects (which have been implemented in approximately 23,000 villages) that are most important, rather the creation of formal community structures. Brooks concludes that although the program is controversial, for fear it will lead to a return to local militias and warlordism, if Afghanistan is to stabilize there must be local authority structures.

Rwandan Hutu convicted at The Hague

03/24/09: Jurist reports that the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) convicted Joseph Mpambara, who was allegedly a member of the Interahamwe, for 20 years in prison for the killings of thousands of ethnic Tutsi during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The ICTR has made significant progress towards fulfilling its mandate of investigating and prosecuting humanitarian crimes arising from the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Employment: DoD Office of General Counsel

03/23/09: The DoD Office of General Counsel is soliciting resumes for multiple attorney term positions. Successful applicants will be part of an interagency team representing the government in over 200 habeas corpus petitions filed in D.C. District Court by individuals detained by DoD at Guantanamo Bay. Interested persons should email resumes to guyk@dodgc.osd.mil or visit DoD site.

Russia criticizes NATO’s security role

03/23/09: The Moscow Times reports that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia is unhappy with NATO's dominant role in European security and its dealings with neighbors that used to be part of the Soviet Union.  Lavrov said both the European Union and NATO were involved in unfair dealings with Russia's neighbors.

Defeating Narco-Terrorism

03/23/09: The Terror Financing Blog asserts that Narco-Terrorism can be defeated if President Obama immediately authorizes the Drug Czar's office to initiate an expedited scientific study of "the use of mycoherbicide as a means of illicit drug crop elimination...[it] shall include an evaluation of all likely human health and environmental impacts of mycoherbicides derived from the fungus naturally existing in the soil."  The completion of the study could help the U.S. to win the battle against terrorism, drug trafficking, and international crime.

Pirates fire on Japanese ship

03/29/09: CNN reports that pirates attacked a Japanese cargo ship off the coast of Somalia on Sunday. A pair of small pirate vessels fired on a ship operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, damaging the front of the ship, but not seriously. Two Japanese destroyers set sail earlier this month on an anti-piracy mission off Somalia.

Bangladesh court sentences imposes sentence of life in prison for 2005 bombings

03/23/09: Jurist reports that a Bangladesh court sentenced seven members of the banned Islamic Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) group to life in prison for their roles in two 2005 bombings in the country. The attacks were part of a larger bombing campaign allegedly carried out by JMB in which more than 400 bombs were exploded and at least 26 were killed.

Quiet revolution growing in the Muslim world

03/22/09:  TIME reports that, disillusioned with extremists who can destroy but who fail to construct alternatives that improve daily life, members of the post-9/11 generation are increasingly relying on Islamic values rather than on a religion-based ideology to advance their aims. Importantly, the soft revolution has generated a new self-confidence among Muslims and a sense that the answers to their problems lie within their own faith and community rather than in the outside world. The revolution is about reform in a conservative package. HT to Security Debrief.