Annie Shiel
@annieshiel.bsky.social
US Director at Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC). She/her. Views mine, RT ≠ endorsement.
Pinned
Annie Shiel
@annieshiel.bsky.social
· Sep 17
Murder by Drone: The Legal and Moral Stakes of the Caribbean Strikes
If allowed to go unchecked, the Caribbean strikes could encourage additional unlawful executions by the United States and other leaders.
www.justsecurity.org
At stake in the president's decision to summarily execute alleged cartel members in the Caribbean is whether he can murder people outside of war with impunity.
From me & colleagues in @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
From me & colleagues in @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
Reposted by Annie Shiel
Annie Shiel highlighted how the humanitarian sector is being stretched beyond its limits due to the effects of explosive weapons in populated areas.
#StopBombingCivilians
#StopBombingCivilians
November 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Annie Shiel highlighted how the humanitarian sector is being stretched beyond its limits due to the effects of explosive weapons in populated areas.
#StopBombingCivilians
#StopBombingCivilians
Reposted by Annie Shiel
We’re about to begin the Protection Forum in Costa Rica, a space to discuss civilian harm, share experiences, and strengthen action under EWIPA.
Stay tuned for updates, speakers’ insights, and highlights throughout the day.
#StopBombingCivilians
Stay tuned for updates, speakers’ insights, and highlights throughout the day.
#StopBombingCivilians
November 18, 2025 at 5:46 PM
We’re about to begin the Protection Forum in Costa Rica, a space to discuss civilian harm, share experiences, and strengthen action under EWIPA.
Stay tuned for updates, speakers’ insights, and highlights throughout the day.
#StopBombingCivilians
Stay tuned for updates, speakers’ insights, and highlights throughout the day.
#StopBombingCivilians
NEW: CIVIC is launching the new Guiding Principles on Community-Based Amends, an accessible guide to thinking about post-harm assistance to conflict-affected communities.
Read the principles here: civiliansinconflict.org/publications...
Read the principles here: civiliansinconflict.org/publications...
Guiding Principles for Community-Based Amends
This report draws from geographically diverse case studies, existing research on reparations and transitional justice, and expert consultations to formulate principles intended to inform the design an...
civiliansinconflict.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
NEW: CIVIC is launching the new Guiding Principles on Community-Based Amends, an accessible guide to thinking about post-harm assistance to conflict-affected communities.
Read the principles here: civiliansinconflict.org/publications...
Read the principles here: civiliansinconflict.org/publications...
CIVIC joined over 60 organizations to express alarm at the US' unlawful killing of civilians in the Caribbean and to call on Congress to block further unauthorized strikes.
Read the letter: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Read the letter: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
CIVIC, Over 60 Groups to US Congress: End Unlawful Caribbean Strikes
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) joined over 60 organizations expressing alarm at the repeated extrajudicial killings of unidentified civilians in the Caribbean through US strikes and calling ...
civiliansinconflict.org
October 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
CIVIC joined over 60 organizations to express alarm at the US' unlawful killing of civilians in the Caribbean and to call on Congress to block further unauthorized strikes.
Read the letter: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Read the letter: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Annie Shiel
Rand Paul: "I think blowing up speedboats in the Caribbean isn't necessarily the answer."
October 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Rand Paul: "I think blowing up speedboats in the Caribbean isn't necessarily the answer."
Reposted by Annie Shiel
Today, Senator Kaine and I will force the Senate to vote on the administration’s decision to blow up ships in the Caribbean.
If a president can unilaterally put people or groups on a list and kill them, there is no meaningful limit to his use of force.
If a president can unilaterally put people or groups on a list and kill them, there is no meaningful limit to his use of force.
October 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Today, Senator Kaine and I will force the Senate to vote on the administration’s decision to blow up ships in the Caribbean.
If a president can unilaterally put people or groups on a list and kill them, there is no meaningful limit to his use of force.
If a president can unilaterally put people or groups on a list and kill them, there is no meaningful limit to his use of force.
Reposted by Annie Shiel
1/ Trump officials reportedly told Congress the U.S. is in a “non-international armed conflict” with “designated terrorist organizations.” Here’s why that’s wrong: the U.S. is not at war. 🧵
October 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
1/ Trump officials reportedly told Congress the U.S. is in a “non-international armed conflict” with “designated terrorist organizations.” Here’s why that’s wrong: the U.S. is not at war. 🧵
Gaza enters its third year of a war against civilians.
66,000+ killed. 19,000+ children. Famine declared. Recognition of genocide.
CIVIC reiterates its call for a permanent ceasefire, arms embargo, accountability, and humanitarian access.
Our statement: bit.ly/46wUT31
66,000+ killed. 19,000+ children. Famine declared. Recognition of genocide.
CIVIC reiterates its call for a permanent ceasefire, arms embargo, accountability, and humanitarian access.
Our statement: bit.ly/46wUT31
Gaza: Third Year of a War Against Civilians Amid Global Inaction
As the war in Gaza enters its third year, Palestinian civilians continue to endure unlawful attacks and catastrophic suffering at the hands of Israel’s ongoing military campaign and blockade.
bit.ly
October 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Gaza enters its third year of a war against civilians.
66,000+ killed. 19,000+ children. Famine declared. Recognition of genocide.
CIVIC reiterates its call for a permanent ceasefire, arms embargo, accountability, and humanitarian access.
Our statement: bit.ly/46wUT31
66,000+ killed. 19,000+ children. Famine declared. Recognition of genocide.
CIVIC reiterates its call for a permanent ceasefire, arms embargo, accountability, and humanitarian access.
Our statement: bit.ly/46wUT31
Reposted by Annie Shiel
.@jayapal.house.gov introduced an amendment during the ongoing State Dept Reauthorization markup in the House Foreign Affairs Committee that would condition $1 billion of the $3.3 billion in US military aid to Israel on human rights benchmarks. A 🧵
September 18, 2025 at 2:07 AM
.@jayapal.house.gov introduced an amendment during the ongoing State Dept Reauthorization markup in the House Foreign Affairs Committee that would condition $1 billion of the $3.3 billion in US military aid to Israel on human rights benchmarks. A 🧵
At stake in the president's decision to summarily execute alleged cartel members in the Caribbean is whether he can murder people outside of war with impunity.
From me & colleagues in @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
From me & colleagues in @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
Murder by Drone: The Legal and Moral Stakes of the Caribbean Strikes
If allowed to go unchecked, the Caribbean strikes could encourage additional unlawful executions by the United States and other leaders.
www.justsecurity.org
September 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM
At stake in the president's decision to summarily execute alleged cartel members in the Caribbean is whether he can murder people outside of war with impunity.
From me & colleagues in @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
From me & colleagues in @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
Reposted by Annie Shiel
Analyzing the legal and moral stakes of the Caribbean strikes – and how Congress could respond.
From Annie Shiel, @jwrchappell.bsky.social, Priyanka Motaparthy, Wells Dixon and Daphne Eviatar:
www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
From Annie Shiel, @jwrchappell.bsky.social, Priyanka Motaparthy, Wells Dixon and Daphne Eviatar:
www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
Murder by Drone: The Legal and Moral Stakes of the Caribbean Strikes
If allowed to go unchecked, the Caribbean strikes could encourage additional unlawful executions by the United States and other leaders.
www.justsecurity.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Analyzing the legal and moral stakes of the Caribbean strikes – and how Congress could respond.
From Annie Shiel, @jwrchappell.bsky.social, Priyanka Motaparthy, Wells Dixon and Daphne Eviatar:
www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
From Annie Shiel, @jwrchappell.bsky.social, Priyanka Motaparthy, Wells Dixon and Daphne Eviatar:
www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
Reposted by Annie Shiel
“All people, no matter where they live or what crime they have been accused of, have fundamental human rights, including the rights to life and due process,” said @annieshiel.bsky.social.
theintercept.com/2025/09/10/t...
theintercept.com/2025/09/10/t...
September 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
“All people, no matter where they live or what crime they have been accused of, have fundamental human rights, including the rights to life and due process,” said @annieshiel.bsky.social.
theintercept.com/2025/09/10/t...
theintercept.com/2025/09/10/t...
NEW: CIVIC is alarmed by the US strike on a vessel in the Caribbean that killed 11 people. An attack like this, outside of armed conflict, is an extrajudicial execution, not an act of war.
Congress must demand transparency & accountability: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Congress must demand transparency & accountability: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
September 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
NEW: CIVIC is alarmed by the US strike on a vessel in the Caribbean that killed 11 people. An attack like this, outside of armed conflict, is an extrajudicial execution, not an act of war.
Congress must demand transparency & accountability: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Congress must demand transparency & accountability: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Annie Shiel
This is not a thorny issue. This is not fraught. It is extrajudicial killing. It is the killing of civilians under any standard of law. He killed them on the basis of his-say so that they are drug smugglers, mere criminals. It was premeditated. And he's saying he's going to do it again and again.
I know people are overwhelmed by too much news from every angle, and maybe people are distracted by the "terrorist" language, or just plain exhausted.
But this is the President of the United States saying he is going to go around killing people because he thinks they're criminals. And already did.
But this is the President of the United States saying he is going to go around killing people because he thinks they're criminals. And already did.
Trump: "When I see boats coming in like loaded up the other day with all sorts of drugs -- probably fentanyl mostly -- we're gonna take them out. And if people wants to have fun on the high seas of the low seas they're gonna be in trouble."
September 5, 2025 at 9:38 PM
This is not a thorny issue. This is not fraught. It is extrajudicial killing. It is the killing of civilians under any standard of law. He killed them on the basis of his-say so that they are drug smugglers, mere criminals. It was premeditated. And he's saying he's going to do it again and again.
Reposted by Annie Shiel
No pretense that US is somehow engaged in an armed conflict that might justify lethal targeting in this manner.
As I told @npr.org this morning, we have a word for premeditated killing outside of armed conflict: murder.
(Also the administration has not substantiated any of its factual claims.)
As I told @npr.org this morning, we have a word for premeditated killing outside of armed conflict: murder.
(Also the administration has not substantiated any of its factual claims.)
Trump: "When I see boats coming in like loaded up the other day with all sorts of drugs -- probably fentanyl mostly -- we're gonna take them out. And if people wants to have fun on the high seas of the low seas they're gonna be in trouble."
September 5, 2025 at 9:56 PM
No pretense that US is somehow engaged in an armed conflict that might justify lethal targeting in this manner.
As I told @npr.org this morning, we have a word for premeditated killing outside of armed conflict: murder.
(Also the administration has not substantiated any of its factual claims.)
As I told @npr.org this morning, we have a word for premeditated killing outside of armed conflict: murder.
(Also the administration has not substantiated any of its factual claims.)
Reposted by Annie Shiel
I've read and coded every War Powers Report ever sent to Congress (check them all out, with interactive graphics and a searchable database 👇), and this one on #Trump's attack on an alleged drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean stands out. I'll explain below:
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
War Powers Resolution Reporting Project
A living resource on presidential reporting practice and the use of U.S. armed forces abroad.
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
September 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I've read and coded every War Powers Report ever sent to Congress (check them all out, with interactive graphics and a searchable database 👇), and this one on #Trump's attack on an alleged drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean stands out. I'll explain below:
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
Reposted by Annie Shiel
Your reminder that lethal strikes outside of armed conflict are just extrajudicial executions.
Pete Hegseth on a video of American forces blowing up a boat in the southern Caribbean: "I can tell you that was definitely not artificial intelligence. I watched it live ... those 11 drug traffickers are no longer with us."
September 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Your reminder that lethal strikes outside of armed conflict are just extrajudicial executions.
Reposted by Annie Shiel
All kidding about this nonsense answer aside: The regime is asserting the power to murder without trial a boat full of people suspected of drug trafficking, who easily could have been intercepted and arrested instead. That is unconscionable and horrifying even assuming everyone aboard was guilty.
Q: On the Venezuela vessel strike, what legal authority were you guys working under?
JD VANCE: The legal authority is there are people who are bringing -- literal terrorists -- who are bringing deadly drugs into our country
JD VANCE: The legal authority is there are people who are bringing -- literal terrorists -- who are bringing deadly drugs into our country
September 3, 2025 at 10:09 PM
All kidding about this nonsense answer aside: The regime is asserting the power to murder without trial a boat full of people suspected of drug trafficking, who easily could have been intercepted and arrested instead. That is unconscionable and horrifying even assuming everyone aboard was guilty.
Reposted by Annie Shiel
1/ I worked at DoD. I literally cannot imagine lawyers coming up with a legal basis for lethal strike of suspected Venezuelan drug boat.
Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.
Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.
Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Legal Issues Raised by a Lethal U.S. Military Attack in the Caribbean
The Trump administration’s extraordinary lethal attack on this purported smuggling vessel raises significant potential legal issues.
www.justsecurity.org
September 3, 2025 at 9:41 PM
1/ I worked at DoD. I literally cannot imagine lawyers coming up with a legal basis for lethal strike of suspected Venezuelan drug boat.
Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.
Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Hard to see how this would not be "murder" or war crime under international law that DoD considers applicable.
Read expert analysis by @bcfinucane.bsky.social⤵️
Reposted by Annie Shiel
"those 11 drug trafficker are no longer with us"
Drug traffickers as such are not lawful military objectives.
Drug traffickers as such are not lawful military objectives.
Pete Hegseth on a video of American forces blowing up a boat in the southern Caribbean: "I can tell you that was definitely not artificial intelligence. I watched it live ... those 11 drug traffickers are no longer with us."
September 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"those 11 drug trafficker are no longer with us"
Drug traffickers as such are not lawful military objectives.
Drug traffickers as such are not lawful military objectives.
Your reminder that lethal strikes outside of armed conflict are just extrajudicial executions.
Pete Hegseth on a video of American forces blowing up a boat in the southern Caribbean: "I can tell you that was definitely not artificial intelligence. I watched it live ... those 11 drug traffickers are no longer with us."
September 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Your reminder that lethal strikes outside of armed conflict are just extrajudicial executions.
The scenes from Israel's double tap strikes on Nasser Hospital are horrifying beyond words - yet another on the daily growing list of atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza.
Stop sending arms. Ceasefire now.
CIVIC's statement: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Stop sending arms. Ceasefire now.
CIVIC's statement: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Hospitals, Journalists, and Aid Workers Under Attack in Gaza: CIVIC Urges Immediate Protection | Center for Civilians in Conflict
Geneva, August 26, 2025 – Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is highly alarmed by the deadly assault on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday, which killed civilians, including journalists an...
civiliansinconflict.org
August 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The scenes from Israel's double tap strikes on Nasser Hospital are horrifying beyond words - yet another on the daily growing list of atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza.
Stop sending arms. Ceasefire now.
CIVIC's statement: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Stop sending arms. Ceasefire now.
CIVIC's statement: civiliansinconflict.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Annie Shiel
Reposted by Annie Shiel
The Gaza Famine is the world’s famine. A preventable, predictable famine.
Enough. Ceasefire. Open all crossings, north and south. Let us get food in, unimpeded and at massive scale.
Enough. Ceasefire. Open all crossings, north and south. Let us get food in, unimpeded and at massive scale.
August 22, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The Gaza Famine is the world’s famine. A preventable, predictable famine.
Enough. Ceasefire. Open all crossings, north and south. Let us get food in, unimpeded and at massive scale.
Enough. Ceasefire. Open all crossings, north and south. Let us get food in, unimpeded and at massive scale.
Reposted by Annie Shiel
Congress is back from recess soon. What are your representatives doing to end US support for carnage and starvation in Gaza?
From @jwrchappell.bsky.social & me on why cosponsoring the Block the Bombs Act should be a benchmark in the House: responsiblestatecraft.org/house-vote-i...
From @jwrchappell.bsky.social & me on why cosponsoring the Block the Bombs Act should be a benchmark in the House: responsiblestatecraft.org/house-vote-i...
Does the House have the grit to 'Block the Bombs' to Israel?
Lawmakers returning from recess have a chance to do what their constituents are telling them to — stop US complicity in Gaza carnage
responsiblestatecraft.org
August 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Congress is back from recess soon. What are your representatives doing to end US support for carnage and starvation in Gaza?
From @jwrchappell.bsky.social & me on why cosponsoring the Block the Bombs Act should be a benchmark in the House: responsiblestatecraft.org/house-vote-i...
From @jwrchappell.bsky.social & me on why cosponsoring the Block the Bombs Act should be a benchmark in the House: responsiblestatecraft.org/house-vote-i...