War Crimes

israel-hamas war Oct. 13, 2023

The U.S. Is Giving Israel Permission for War CrimesAs Israel incinerates entire city blocks, the White House offers its tacit approval.

By Eric Levitz

foreign policy July 6, 2023

Why Is the Biden Administration Rewarding Elliott Abrams?A new Biden appointment sends the wrong message to the world.

By Sarah Jones

foreign affairs June 8, 2023

I Crashed Henry Kissinger’s 100th-Birthday PartyThe elite love him but for some reason won’t say why.

By Jonathan Guyer

war Apr. 5, 2022

The Horrors Emerging From Russian-Occupied Territory in UkraineIt’s not just Bucha. Reports of war atrocities targeting civilians continue to surface from across the country.

By Chas Danner

foreign interests Apr. 4, 2022

The War in Ukraine Is Shifting, Not EndingThe withdrawal of Russian forces from around Kyiv has provided both respite and new horrors. Now the fighting will intensify elsewhere.

By Jonah Shepp

ukraine Mar. 23, 2022

U.S. Officially Accuses Russia of War Crimes in UkraineSecretary of State Antony Blinken cited “credible reports” of “attacks deliberately targeting civilians.”

By Matt Stieb

iran Jan. 7, 2020

Trump Walks Back War-Crime Threat Against Iran: ‘I Like to Obey the Law’“I like to obey the law,” said Trump, despite years of evidence to the contrary.

By Matt Stieb

trump tweets Jan. 5, 2020

Trump Reiterates Threat to Commit War Crimes in IranTrump doubled down on his threat to order strikes on cultural sites in Iran if they retaliated against the U.S. for the killing of General Soleimani.

By Chas Danner

war crimes Nov. 25, 2019

Fired Navy Secretary: Trump Sends Message ‘You Can Get Away’ With War CrimesWell, duh — Trump reportedly wants to conscript the accused and convicted war criminals he pardoned to spread the good word about his 2020 campaign.

By Matt Stieb

defense department Nov. 25, 2019

Defense Secretary: Trump Gave Direct Order to Allow SEAL to Keep Status“The president is the commander in chief. He has every right, authority, and privilege to do what he wants to do,” Esper said.

By Adam K. Raymond

defense department Nov. 24, 2019

Navy Secretary Richard Spencer Fired Over War-Criminal ControversyRichard Spencer was fired for violating the chain of command and pushing Trump to allow accused war criminal Edward Gallagher to retire as a SEAL.

By Matt Stieb

the national interest Nov. 22, 2019

Trump Just Repeated the Russian Conspiracy Theory Republicans Deny He BelievesTrump suggests Russia didn’t hack Democratic emails, the day after Republicans angrily denied he believes this.

By Jonathan Chait

war crimes Nov. 18, 2019

Trump’s War-Crimes Pardons Invite the Mayhem He LovesAn outlaw president naturally wants to celebrate outlaw behavior in the military, too.

By Ed Kilgore

war crimes June 5, 2019

Trump Steps Back From Plan to Pardon War Criminals: ReportBacklash from veterans reportedly caused the president to rethink his plan to pardon convicted and alleged war criminals around Memorial Day.

By Matt Stieb

memorial day May 22, 2019

Military Brass Warn Trump Against Memorial Day Pardons for War CriminalsCurrent and former military leaders think it’s a terrible way to celebrate Memorial Day.

By Ed Kilgore

the national interest May 21, 2019

Just This Week, Trump Has Already Committed 5 More Impeachable ActsAnd it’s only Tuesday.

By Jonathan Chait

war crimes May 21, 2019

Fox News Host Lobbied Trump in Private to Pardon Alleged War Criminals: ReportFor more than four months, the Fox & Friends host has tried to convince Trump to let accused war criminals off the hook. It appears to be working.

By Matt Stieb

war crimes May 20, 2019

Why Trump Loves War CriminalsIntelligencer staffers discuss the president’s reported intention to pardon soldiers who committed atrocities.

By Benjamin Hart, Ed Kilgore, and Eric Levitz

war crimes May 20, 2019

Will Trump Go Nixonian With Clemency for American War Criminals?Trump is reportedly mulling clemency for several men accused of war crimes, reminiscent of Nixon beneficiary William Calley.

By Ed Kilgore

rule of law May 19, 2019

Trump Wants to Make War Criminals Great AgainThe pardon-happy president seems set to celebrate Memorial Day by disregarding core principles of service and military justice.

By Chas Danner

war crimes May 7, 2019

Trump Pardons Former Soldier Who Murdered Naked Iraqi PrisonerMichael Behenna drove a detainee into the desert, stripped him naked, then shot him dead. He was already on parole before the pardon.

By Eric Levitz

foreign policy Sept. 20, 2018

Pompeo Prioritizes Arms Sales Over Civilian Lives in YemenAfter he was warned about jeopardizing weapons sales, the secretary of State overruled experts who said Saudi Arabia isn’t keeping civilians safe.

By Adam K. Raymond

foreign policy Sept. 12, 2018

Pompeo: Saudis Are Definitely Trying to Commit Fewer Mass Murders in YemenPompeo’s certification clears the way for the U.S. to continue abetting a Saudi-led intervention, which has already killed thousands of civilians.

By Eric Levitz

foreign policy Aug. 29, 2018

The U.S. Has Blood on Its Hands in Yemen, and Can’t Wash It OffMattis’s threat to reduce support for Saudi-led bombings rings hollow in light of the Trump administration’s broader stance on Mideast arms sales.

By Jonah Shepp

Mar. 24, 2016

Radovan Karadzic Jailed 40 Years Over GenocideHe was “instrumental” in the mass killings of Bosnian Muslims during the 1990s Balkans war.

By Samuel Lieberman

war crimes Mar. 18, 2016

John Kerry Says ISIS Is Committing GenocideThe State Department finally says what everyone has been thinking.

By Jonah Shepp

crimes against humanity Mar. 19, 2015

U.N. Report Accuses ISIS of Crimes Against Humanity and GenocideThe United Nations Human Rights Office calls for war-crimes trials against the Islamic State.

By Jaime Fuller

international intrigue July 23, 2014