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Reflections on the Israel-Hamas War

For 90 years, The Fletcher School has offered insight into global crises. This collection gathers reflective pieces authored by faculty members on the Israel-Hamas conflict, along with list of news items where their expert commentary has been featured. Through their writings and media engagements, Fletcher's faculty offer a range of academic perspectives on this complex geopolitical issue.

Why We Are Here: Two Peoples, One Land

Monica Toft, Academic Dean

The horrors we are witnessing in Israel and Gaza have been long in the making. At their core they involve a territory that is claimed by two peoples; two nations which, in spite of their shared history, believe this territory cannot be shared. Why? Because territory ...

by Monica Toft, Academic Dean 

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Legal Obligations in a Time of War

Tom Dannenbaum

It is impossible to observe the events of the past two weeks in Israel and Palestine with anything other than horror. The Hamas assault beginning on the 7th of October involved shocking massacres, abductions...

by Tom Dannenbaum, Associate Professor of International Law

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The Limits of Outside Opinion in Gaza

Daniel Drezner

Israel is ramping up its plans to move into Gaza with overwhelming force. I have received many queries from students along the lines of, “Is there anything we can do to stop the worst from happening?” Because it’s all too easy to envisage...

by Daniel Drezner, Professor of International Politics

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A Time For Prayer, A Time For Peace

Tara Sonenshine

The attack that took place on October 7th in Israel, with rockets fired from the Gaza Strip and incursions into homes, music festivals, and ordinary streets, is beyond human understanding...

by Tara Sonenshine, Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice in Public Diplomacy

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A Failed Diplomatic Doctrine

Ibrahim Warde

The last U.S. Secretary of State to have expended any political capital on the two-state solution, providing for a Palestinian state alongside Israel, was John Kerry between 2013 and 2017. His successor Rex Tillerson...

by Ibrahim Warde, Adjunct Professor of International Business

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  • When civilians pay the ultimate price in war
    30 Nov, 2023 
    The Hill
    Link

    Top Legal Experts on Why Aid to Gaza Can’t Be Conditioned on Hostage Release, in response to remarks by US Official
    20 Nov, 2023 
    Just Security
    Link

    How International Law Views Military Action at a Hospital
    16 Nov, 2023 
    The New York Times
    Link

    It’s time for Bibi to step down
    16 Nov, 2023 
    The Hill
    Link

    Al Shifa hospital: Israel says arms found inside complex
    15 Nov, 2023 
    BBC World Service
    Link

    Peace is possible in Israel. But not until Hamas is defeated.
    12 Nov, 2023 
    MSNBC
    Link

    Erdogan’s stance on Israel reflects desire to mix politics with realpolitik – and still remain a relevant regional player
    10 Nov, 2023 
    The Conversation
    Link

    Media is meant to inform, but is it stoking the flames of war in the Middle East?
    9 Nov, 2023 
    The Hill
    Link

    Velshi: The complexities of prosecuting war crimes
    4 Nov, 2023 
    MSNBC
    Link

    How the Israel-Hamas war is destabilizing the Horn of Africa
    3 Nov, 2023 
    Responsible Statecraft
    Link

    Fueling the conflict in the Middle East
    2 Nov, 2023 
    The Hill
    Link

    A look at the laws that govern urban warfare in Gaza and beyond
    1 Nov, 2023 
    National Public Radio (NPR)
    Link

    The Lessons for Israel of America’s War in Afghanistan
    1 Nov, 2023 
    Foreign Affairs 
    Link

    Israel's actions in Gaza and international law
    23 Oct, 2023 
    Middle East Monitor 
    Link

    As Israel fights on two fronts, the risks for US entanglement grow
    21 Oct, 2023
    The Boston Globe
    Link

    The Siege of Gaza
    20 Oct, 2023
    Just Security
    Link

    What is a war crime, and who gets held accountable? 
    20 Oct, 2023 
    National Public Radio (NPR)
    Link

    In the fog of war: Journalism’s fight to shine light into darkness
    19 Oct, 2023 
    The Hill 
    Link

    Both sides violating international law in Israel-Hamas conflict, experts tell DW
    18 Oct, 2023 
    Deutsche Welle
    Link

    Greater Boston panel on Israel-Hamas war
    18 Oct, 2023 
    GBH News
    Link

    Deadly Blast at Gaza Hospital Complicates Biden’s Delicate Middle East Mission
    17 Oct, 2023 
    US News & World Report
    Link

    Laws of war explained
    17 Oct, 2023 
    7News Australia
    Link

    Rules of war: What are they? Will they matter in Israel-Gaza conflict?
    17 Oct, 2023 
    The Christian Science Monitor
    Link

    As Israel and Hamas go to war, Republicans blame Biden. Foreign policy experts say that’s unfair.
    16 Oct, 2023 
    The Boston Globe
    Link

    Is Israel acting within the laws of war?
    14 Oct, 2023 
    The Economist
    Link

    War in Israel: From violations of the law to war crimes
    14 Oct, 2023 
    Süddeutsche Zeitung
    Link

    Israel, Gaza and the Laws of War
    12 Oct, 2023 
    The New York Times
    Link

    Will the United States Be the Next Israel?
    12 Oct, 2023 
    Politico
    Link

    Podcast: Gaza War Edition
    12 Oct, 2023 
    Slate
    Link

    The Siege of Gaza and the Starvation War Crime
    11 Oct, 2023 
    Just Security
    Link

    Analysis: What led to the attacks on Israel?
    9 Oct, 2023 
    NBC10 Boston
    Link