Interview: Belgium does not acknowledge civilian harm in its air war against IS

Article: The effects of US security assistance on civilian harm

Associate Professor Patricia L. Sullivan discuss her findings on how state violence varies based on the type of security assistance and the institutional environment in the recipient state.

19 June, 2023

Article: NRC’s assessment of the decision to arm drones

Unveiling the ethical implications and accountability challenges surrounding armed drones, this NRC analysis provides a comprehensive assessment of the decision to equip unmanned aerial vehicles with weaponry.

19 June, 2023

Podcast: Civilians searching for answers from the US

A podcast on how the US responds to claims of civilian harm caused by US airstrikes and how civilians are left with lots of questions instead of answers.

19 June, 2023

Review: The impact event on ‘Transparency and Accountability in Military Operations’

The event focused on local voices, expanded accountability, and increased transparency in military operations to prevent civilian harm.

6 June, 2023

Article: A new vision for SFA in weak states

Authors Emily Knowles and Jahara Matisek discuss that a shift is needed to a peacebuilding approach when providing SFA in weak states.

26 May, 2023

Article: Afghan civilians wrongfully killed by an American drone strike

The New York Times reflects on obtained footage by the U.S. military revealing their disastrous error in killing 10 civilians

19 May, 2023

Event: Transparency and Accountability in Military Operations

Gain insights into the importance of transparency and accountability in military operations by joining the upcoming event on May 30, 2023.

18 May, 2023

Podcast: Afghanistan: ‘A Legacy of Harm’

This episode of the Civilian Protection Podcast focuses on the legacy of civilian harm in Afghanistan.

5 May, 2023

Documentary: The White Helmets

A documentary about the realities of remote warfare and how civilians risk their lives every day to save the lives of others.

4 May, 2023

Article: The costs and consequences of drone warfare

Michael J. Boyle discusses and warns for the different costs and consequences of remote warfare such as blowback.

4 May, 2023

Article: The Rise of the Turkish ‘Bayraktar’ Drone

Author Stephen Witt writes an engaging account on the history of the Turkish Bayraktar drone and its exceeding capabilities compared to its rival’s drone systems

10 April, 2023

Podcast: Reflecting on the realities of Security Force Assistance

Prof. dr. Will Reno and military Prof. Matisek discuss the realities of Security Force Assistance in this episode of the Modern War Institute podcast.

24 March, 2023

ISA panel Examining Algorithms in Security and Warfare

RW project leader dr. Lauren Gould and co-author dr. Marijn Hoijtink will be presenting the latest iteration of their article on information driven and algorithmic warfare at the ISA conference in Montreal on the 15th of March 2023. They wrote the article with previous IRW researchers Jack Davies and Martine Jaarsma. The article reflects on

14 March, 2023

Conference: IRW presents article on algorithmic warfare at ISA

Dr. Lauren Gould and dr. Marijn Hoijtink present their article on information driven and algorithmic warfare at the ISA conference in Montreal

Lauren Gould 14 March, 2023

Session: RAW project kicks off RE-AIM Summit

Re-watch the packed RE-AIM session discussing the realities of autonomous warfare via the link.

10 March, 2023

Conference: Realities of Algorithmic Warfare at the RE-AIM Summit

IRW is hosting a session at the RE-AIM summit in the Hague, February 15th.

26 January, 2023

Op-ed: Parliament lacked oversight over Dutch support for Syrian militias

In his latest op-ed, IRW researcher Jip van Dort reflects on the recently released independent research report that condemn the Dutch Non-Lethal Assistance for Syrian militias.

Jip van Dort 12 January, 2023

Podcast: Reverberating civilian harm effects

On episode 68 of the Asymmetrical Haircuts podcast, IRW’s Lauren Gould dives into the ripple civilian harm effects of the Dutch 2015 airstrike on Hawija, Iraq.

Lauren Gould 21 November, 2022

Public Event: Who holds our military to account?

Join IRW researchers in the Tivoli for the launch of their latest book and a lively debate on remote warfare, civilian harm and democratic control

Lauren Gould 18 November, 2022

Article: Reverberating civilian harm effects under IHL

Dr. Machiko Kanetake reflects on IRW’s ‘After the Strike’ report and the way its findings should influence debates in international humanitarian law.

Machiko Kanetake 19 September, 2022

First Book on Hawija

In its latest book publication, IRW brings together researchers, politicians, NGOs, lawyers, and victims of the 2015 Dutch F16 bombing of Hawija to reflect on remote warfare, civilian harm and democratic control.

Lauren Gould, Jip van Dort, Marrit Woudwijk 17 September, 2022

Op-ed: ‘Increased defense budgets should result in victim compensation funds’

In an op-ed in Het Parool, IRW’s Jip van Dort and PAX’s Erin Bijl argue that a modest part of the increased Defence budget should be invested in the creation of victim compensation funds.

Jip van Dort, Erin Bijl 15 September, 2022

Lecture: The Remote Warfare Paradox

On Tuesday 14 June from 20:00 to 21:30 CEST, dr. Gould will lecture on the ‘remote warfare paradox’ and her successful efforts to expose the civilian harm effects of the 2015 Dutch airstrike of Hawija at the Instituto Cervantes, Utrecht.

Lauren Gould 10 June, 2022

Op-ed: ‘Armed drones are not some kind of superweapon’

While the war in Ukraine rages on, the Dutch state seems to be laying the political foundations for the armament of its military drones. In an op-ed in Het Parool, IRW’s Lauren Gould and Jip van Dort reflect on the shortcomings of this political process.

Lauren Gould, Jip van Dort 29 April, 2022

Rewatch: Launch of IRW’s joint report ‘After the Strike’

The recordings of the sold-out live event in De Balie with, among others, Pulitzer Prize winner Azmat Khan are now available online.

26 April, 2022

Reflection: On new civilian harm transparency policy of the Dutch MoD

IRW and partners reflect on the recent policy changes they helped shape

25 April, 2022

Dutch House of Representatives to vote on use of armed drones

One day after the Dutch armed forces made the first test-flight with a brand new MQ-9 Reaper, the Dutch House of Representatives will vote on a resolution to allow for its armament. IRW argues a more thorough debate is required.

21 April, 2022

After the strike: Exposing the civilian harm effects of the 2015 Dutch airstrike on Hawija

IRW, PAX and Al-Ghad are proud to share their report on the direct and reverberating effects of the 2015 Dutch aistrike on Hawija, Iraq

8 April, 2022

The Effects of the Dutch airstrike on Hawija

Utrecht University’s Intimacies of Remote Warfare programme (IRW) and their societal partners PAX and Al-Ghad expose the reverberating civilian harm effects of remote warfare in their report ‘After The Strike’.

1 April, 2022

Join the launch of IRW’s joint report on remote warfare & civilian harm in Hawija

On April 13, a team of researchers of IRW, PAX and Al-Ghad will present and discuss their findings during a live event at De Balie, Amsterdam

1 April, 2022

The Kill Cloud: Networked War, Drones, and AI

On March 25 to 27, the Disruption Network Lab organizes its 26th conference: The Kill Cloud. Through various panels and workshops with veterans, whistleblowers, and professionals, attendees will dive deeper into the real-world implications of networked warfare, drones, and artificial intelligence. The conference takes place in Kunstquartier Bethanien, Berlin, and will be streamed live for

23 March, 2022

Dutch journalist makes documentary with victims of Hawija airstrike

In ‘Als de Bom Valt’, Danny Ghosen travels to Hawija to let the victims of the 2015 Dutch airstrike share their story.

22 February, 2022

Liesbeth Zegveld sues Dutch state on behalf of Hawija victims

Dr Gould discusses Zegveld’s case in the NOS podcast ‘Met het Oog op Morgen’.

Lauren Gould 22 February, 2022

IRW discusses civilian harm in The Independent

IRW’s Dr. Lauren Gould was interviewed for an article in The Independent about the negative effects of states failing to take responsibility for civilian casualties.

Lauren Gould 4 February, 2022

The ‘Civilian Casualty Files’: How US precision airstrikes caused thousands of civilian deaths

In a series of New York Times publications, Azmat Khan exposes the true human toll of American airstrikes.

3 February, 2022

IRW discusses the case of Hawija at PAX Protection of Civilians Conference

Event: Dr Lauren Gould, Project Leader of IRW, speaks about ongoing research on the 2015 Dutch airstrike of Hawija at the PAX Protection of Civilians Conference

Lauren Gould 17 December, 2021

Yemen: The Unheard Voices

Research report from Maha Al-Buhar on how the Saudi-led coalition’s airstrikes in Yemen are interpreted and contested by civilians on the receiving end.

16 December, 2021

Report: “After the Dust Settles: Seeking Acknowledgement and Justice”

How was the 2015 bombing on Hawija experienced and interpreted on social media? A team of students from Utrecht University collaborated with IRW and PAX to answer this question. Their findings are now available in a research report.

1 December, 2021

Collateral damage: crushing the myths of accuracy and accountability in modern warfare

The latest article in The Conversation by IRW co-founders Dr Lauren Gould and Prof Dr Jolle Demmers alongside Dr Nora Stel.

Lauren Gould, Jolle Demmers 25 November, 2021

Strategic ignorance and the legitimation of remote warfare: The Hawija bombardments

This article by IRW Dr Lauren Gould and Dr Nora Stel was recently published by Security Dialogue.

Lauren Gould 16 November, 2021

PAX Protection of Civilians Conference: 6 Years After Hawija

Dr Lauren Gould contributes to a panel discussion on the 2015 Dutch bombardment of Hawija for the annual PAX Protection of Civilians Conference

15 November, 2021

PAX talk to Airwars about our joint research project on civilian harm in Hawija.

PAX tells Airwars what they observed and heard while walking through Hawija and talking to the victims of the 2015 Dutch airstrike that killed 70 and destroyed over 400 buildings.

5 November, 2021

Why US troops leaving Afghanistan does not mark the end of war

Researchers Aoife Keogh (MA) and Dr. Lauren Gould reflect on the recent developments in Afghanistan.

Lauren Gould, Aoife Keogh 7 October, 2021

WarPod podcast: Remote Warfare an Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Don’t miss IRW’s Lauren Gould and Jolle Demmers on the latest episode of the #WarPod!

Lauren Gould, Jolle Demmers 25 August, 2021

Book launch & panel discussion: On Civilian Harm

Don’t miss PAX’s launch of the book ‘On Civilian Harm’ including the panel discussion featuring Lauren Gould.

Lauren Gould 7 July, 2021

After Hawija: The Way Forward for the Dutch Ministry of Defence

In this post, we provide the statement from the consortium of civil society organisations, including IRW, which reflects on the “Roadmap Process” with the Dutch MoD.

1 July, 2021

The conversation about civilian harm is our responsibility

Nike Wenthol and Marrit Woudwijk reflect on the latest judicial developments regarding Srebrenica and reflect on what lessons can be learnt.

Marrit Woudwijk 16 June, 2021

Voices from Hawija: listening six years later

Today marks 6 years exactly since the Dutch airstrike on Hawija. Researchers at IRW Isa Zoetbrood and Guusje Bloemen together with Ali Maleki, research consultant at PAX for peace, introduce our joint ongoing research with local partner Al-Ghad that investigates the civilian harm effects of the airstrike.

Isa Zoetbrood 3 June, 2021

Book Launch: Remote Warfare Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Contemporary warfare is becoming increasingly defined by distance. Instead of deploying large numbers of boots on the ground, many Western and non-Western states rely on support and training for local actors, employment of private military contractors and remote weaponry for airstrikes and surveillance This is remote warfare, the dominant method of military engagement employed by

17 May, 2021

Remote Warfare Round-up 008

The Remote Warfare roundup is a bi-weekly digest of unfolding news, op-eds and reports relevant to remote warfare.

12 April, 2021

‘Remote Warfare: Interdisciplinary Perspectives’

Bringing together writers from various backgrounds, this edited volume offers a critical enquiry into the use and impact of remote warfare.

Lauren Gould, Jolle Demmers 4 April, 2021

The Netherlands is trying to maintain the myth of a ‘clean’ war

In his latest op-ed published in the daily paper Trouw, Jip van Dort raises a rather sinister question: What exactly do we (or are we allowed to) know about the dark side of warfare, specifically about civilian casualties?

Jip van Dort 2 February, 2021

How Remote is Remote Warfare?

Watch Intimacies of Remote Warfare project founder Prof. Jolle Demmers tackling the big questions surrounding remote warfare and call for more transparency in her recent talk for Stadium Generale.

Jolle Demmers 9 December, 2020

Crowded Skies: Drones in Nagorno-Karabakh

Whilst a deluge of video clips showing drone-captured footage of air and missile strikes on seemingly defenceless ground vehicles led some to proclaim the ‘death of the tank’, this may have been an overestimation of the real impact drones had in the conflict.

Jack Davies 25 November, 2020

The Risks of Special Forces Being Used Illegally

In a recent article for the Human Security Centre, IRW’s Jack Davies argues that SOF lack political oversight and legal accountability.

Jack Davies 2 November, 2020

Remote Warfare & Civilian Harm: MoD Roadmap Towards more Transparency

IRW works with the Dutch MoD to review the way in which it deals with, reports on and accounts for civilian harm as a consequence of Dutch military efforts.

15 October, 2020

IRW researcher receives Utrecht University’s MA Thesis Award for Remote Warfare Research

Marrit Woudwijk wins MA thesis prize for her research into how Syrian refugees perceive Dutch F16 bombings.

Marrit Woudwijk 3 September, 2020

Civilian Harm, Tracking, Analysis and Response

PAX position paper calling for a broader understanding of civilian harm.

9 July, 2020

Perfect War and its Contestations

Chapter from Demmers, Gould and Snetselaar in the book, “Spaces of War, War of Spaces,” published by Bloomsbury

Jolle Demmers, Lauren Gould, David Snetselaar 9 July, 2020

Dutch defence minister announces fresh transparency moves

Airwars reports on the Netherlands’ new civilian harm reporting procedures.

7 July, 2020

War/Truth: Civilian Harm in Remote Warfare

A collaborative project with Airwars at the Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges.

24 June, 2020

The Remote Warfare Paradox

Advance preview from the forthcoming book “Remote Warfare: Interdisciplinary Perspectives” on how the democratic desire for zero-risk war lowers the threshold for military engagement.

Jolle Demmers, Lauren Gould 20 June, 2020

Remote Warfare and the Utility of Military and Security Contractors

Forthcoming chapter from the E-International Relations Book “Remote Warfare: Interdisciplinary Perspectives”

20 June, 2020

Conflicting Truth

Airwars commemorates civilians killed in conflict for UN Protection of Civilians week.

27 May, 2020

Lauren Gould on NPO Radio 1

Project Leader Lauren Gould is interviewed on NPO Radio 1 about transparency and civilian harm in Dutch military actions.

Lauren Gould 14 May, 2020

Op-ed: Ignorance in war is not an excuse

The Dutch Ministry of Defence claim that they cannot know how many civilian casualties occur in their remote wars to evade accountability and public outcry. This is what Lauren Gould en Nora Stel write in their Dutch op-ed for the NRC.

Lauren Gould 14 May, 2020

Hawija Case: NGOs are unsatisfied with the quality of the Dutch Ministry of Defence aerial attack data

Unfortunately both the form and content of the data that is now published by the Dutch Ministry of Defence is not what is needed to be able to excersise democratic control, state Airwars Stichting, PAX and the The Intimacies of Remote Warfare-programma.

13 May, 2020

If you want to know the impact of Dutch bombs on Syria, ask the refugees here

Lennart Hofman and Marrit Woudwijk explore the ‘lesser truth’ of the remote warfare waged by the Netherlands in Syria, as interpreted by Syrian refugees in the Netherlands.

Marrit Woudwijk 17 February, 2020

Research report: ‘The Lesser Truth’

Research report from Marrit Woudwijk on truth construction surrounding remote warfare and the case of the US-led Anti-ISIS Coalition in Syria

Marrit Woudwijk 6 February, 2020

How Would a Military Drawdown Affect U.S. Engagement in Africa?

World Politics Review podcast interviewing journalist Peter Tinti on the evolution of US military engagement in Africa.

15 January, 2020

Visions of Peace Thesis Prize Award 2019 & War/Truth

Seminar on Civilian Harm in Remote Warfare, held 6th December 2019

Lauren Gould, Marrit Woudwijk 6 December, 2019

How a Dutch Bomb killed 70 people in Iraq

NRC Daily Podcast interview with journalists Kees Versteeg and Jannie Schippers discussing the Hawija airstrike.

21 October, 2019

For Sama

A powerful record of civilian harm in the Battle of Aleppo

13 September, 2019

Remote Warfare: Remote Justice?

An assemblage approach is taken to understand how and why the members of European Forum on Drones act in dynamic alliances of states, institutions, organisations, groups, expert individuals, discourses, treaties, laws and regulations to govern the use of armed drones

David Snetselaar 1 September, 2019

(Un)Contested Frames: Frame resonance, narratives and the danger of blowback from airstrikes by the international anti-ISIL coalition.

Research report from Nora Kindermann on frame resonance, narratives and the danger of blowback from airstrikes by the international anti-ISIL coalition.

1 September, 2019

US Media Coverage of Civilian Harm in the War Against So-Called Islamic State

Reporters at US media outlets strongly believe that civilian harm should be a central component of broader war coverage. Yet non combatant casualties from US airstrikes were often poorly covered during the conflict against so-called Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

1 July, 2019

Intimacies of Remote Warfare

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