Professor at Yale Law School & Professor of Political Science at Yale University; President, American Society of International Law; Executive Editor at Just Security; former Special Counsel at U.S. Department of Defense. Website: oonahathaway.com.
Oona Hathaway
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Does International Law Make A Difference?
This is the question I've grappled with throughout my career.
Read my wide-ranging conversation with the co-editors-in-chief of the Yale Journal of International Law.
yjil.yale.edu/posts/2026-0...
Today, Trump "will take a war that is already doubly illegal and turn it into a triply-illegal war. He will also make it clear, if it was not already, that he regards the law as no constraint on his use of the U.S. military’s lethal power."
Read more here: www.justsecurity.org/137669/60-da...
As the death toll reaches 190, it's time for another reminder that the boat strikes are unlawful under both international and domestic law--and they are a stain on our national conscience.
For much more, take a look at this @justsecurity.org collection: www.justsecurity.org/120753/colle...
The Defense Department has requested funds for danger pay to troops that are at increased risk of taking hostile fire or other dangers.
Rather than paying more danger pay, let's stop the illegal war of choice that's putting our troops in danger.
www.militarytimes.com/news/your-mi...
Trump sends US warships into the Persian Gulf to escort trapped ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, potentially making a dangerous situation even more dangerous. Featuring @oonahathaway.bsky.social, Professor of International Law at Yale Law School.
soundcloud.com/user-8304426...
1/ NEW: The Trump administration's new notification to Congress attempting to get out from under the War Powers Resolution 60-day clock for its #Iran war is utterly unconvincing, and also breaks new ground in a few interesting ways:
This is what ongoing hostilities looks like.
But to be clear, the blockade & state of military confrontation were enough to constitute continuing "hostilities" under the WPR 60-day clock before the latest skirmish, as @oonahathaway.bsky.social and I explained👇
www.justsecurity.org/137669/60-da...
Civilians harmed in war are nearly always left to pick up the pieces alone. With @oonahathaway.bsky.social and @sarahdonilon.bsky.social, we propose a comprehensive scheme for compensating them, building on longstanding U.S. programs for other civilians we put in harm's way.
Check it out:
It's time for Congress to step up.
It should start by cutting off funding for this war until Congress authorizes it.
Then it needs to reform the War Powers Act to do the same for all future conflicts so that we don't find ourselves right back here again.
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
The war in Iran becomes triply illegal today. Read more from me and @tessbridgeman.bsky.social:
yjil.yale.edu
YJIL’s Vol. 52 reached out to Prof. Oona A. Hathaway for her thoughts about the current landscape of international law and her new role with ASIL.
May 4, 2026 - Oona Hathaway
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The U.S. defense budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 has raised the prospect of an increase in the monthly stipend paid out to troops in dangerous regions.
Collection of expert analysis on the legality of the U.S. strike on Venezuelan vessels in the Caribbean, the consequences of the strike, and related issues.
What do states owe the innocent civilians they kill in war?
When we started this article, we had no idea how relevant it would be when it was published.
"War Hazards Compensation for Civilians"--now out! With coauthors @sarahdonilon.bsky.social & Carter Squires.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
The 60 Day Clock on the Iran War expires today, May 1.
@tessbridgeman.bsky.social and @oonahathaway.bsky.social write: The war is now “triply illegal” – and the War Powers Resolution, passed by supermajorities in both chambers of Congress, now requires President Trump to terminate hostilities.
The U.S. military said on Tuesday that it had struck another boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three people and bringing the death toll to at least 190 in the monthslong campaign against those who the U.S. alleges are engaged in drug smuggling at sea.
This directly undercuts the White House's assurance to Congress to try to get out from under the War Powers Resolution
"Military tensions flared in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, as several vessels were struck amid Iranian threats, while the U.S. sent in destroyers and fought off further attacks."
An expert analysis of the War Powers Resolution and hostilities against Iran. Trump must now terminate the war he began two months ago.
The attack was the second in two days, and the latest in an ongoing campaign against people the United States says are engaged in drug smuggling at sea.
nyti.ms
Several vessels were struck amid Iranian threats, while the U.S. sent in destroyers and fought off further attacks.
