The White Helmets: Saving lives on Syrian frontlines
Documentary
A documentary about the realities of remote warfare and how civilians risk their lives every day to save the lives of others.
Here you will find a variety of relevant publications, op-eds, events, and podcasts published by ourselves and others.
Remote warfare is only remote for some. While politicians portray it as riskless, algorithmic targeting and ‘precision’ airstrikes often lead to widescale civilian casualties. These casualties are often denied, kept secret or undercounted to maintain the myth of a clean war. In response, a growing community of scholars and NGOs have utilised remote-sensing techniques to monitor civilian harm. The resulting contestation of the exact numbers of civilian casualties has provoked intense debate. This raises pressing questions about the impact of the violence executed and democratic control.
The costs and consequences of drone warfare
Article
Michael J. Boyle discusses and warns for the different costs and consequences of remote warfare such as blowback.
Belgium does not acknowledge civilian harm in its air war against IS
News
IRW researchers talks to the Belgium media about their book on remote warfare, civilian harm and democratic control.
Reverberating civilian harm effects after the Hawija bombardments
Media
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.
Who holds our military to account?
Events
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
Reverberating civilian harm effects under international humanitarian law
Article
Dr. Machiko Kanetake reflects on IRW’s 'After the Strike' report and the way its findings should influence debates in international humanitarian law.
IRW researchers publish book on Hawija bombardments
Book
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.
Increased defense budgets should result in victim compensation funds
Op-ed
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.
The Remote Warfare Paradox
Events
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.
Armed drones are not some kind of superweapon
Op-ed
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.