Gabe Murphy is a communications and foreign policy specialist and a longtime peace advocate. As the Communications and Outreach Manager for C&SN, he is responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s internal and external communications strategies. Learn more about Gabe at the C&SNstaff page. (February 24)
On February 16 the Houthis were removed from two U.S. terrorist lists, less than three weeks after the group was added to the lists by the outgoing Trump administration. Read the story at C&SN News. (February 16)
The UN Special Rapporteur solicited public input on the effect of disinformation on democracy, development and human rights in preparation for a report to the Human Rights Council. Find out more at C&SN News. (February 18)
ECNL’s report shows that since 2001, over 140 governments have used counterterrorism measures that impede or outright attack civil society organizations. Civil society must raise awareness at key multilateral organizations, including the UN and the FATF.
U.S. counterterrorism laws that dictate what constitutes "material support" haven't been amended since 9/11, despite having adverse impacts on development and humanitarian programming in fragile contexts. C&SN Director Paul Carroll is interviewed by Teresa Welsh at Devex. (February 25)
The Biden administration is reviewing the U.S. government sanctions program, after it had been used by the Trump administration to influence domestic policy. Manuel Reinert and Samuel M. Hickey write atThe Washington Post. (February 12)
The law enables the Turkish government to target civil society organizations’ legitimate activities and the right to association of their members. Read the full story at Stockholm Center for Freedom. (February 16)
Jessie K. Liu, Zia M. Faruqui, and Noha K. Moustafa examine the intersection of the Patriot Act and bank regulation laws, which has given U.S. prosecutors more leverage in obtaining documents held by foreign banks. Read the full analysis at Lawfare. (February 23)
The Department of Homeland Security, whose work typically focuses on preventing attacks by foreign terrorists within the U.S., is facing increased calls to utilize their resources to combat the rise of domestic terrorism. Nick Miroff reports at The Philadelphia Inquirer. (February 14)
Domestic terrorism legislation could be easily manipulated for unintended use, and runs the risk of dividing our nation further given unclear definitions of material support and terrorist activities. Brian Michael Jenkins writes opinion at The Hill. (February 23)
Eric Halliday and Rachael Hanna examine existing legal measures that can be used to prosecute individuals who engage in terrorist activities domestically. Read more at Lawfare. (February 16)
If Biden is to reestablish the U.S. as a global leader in diplomacy, he must focus his efforts on long-term peacebuilding, which can start with funding the Global Fragility Act. Ursula Knudsen-Latta writes at Just Security. (February 23)
By ending U.S. support for offensive military operations in Yemen, emphasizing peace talks, and reversing the Houthi FTO designation, Biden has reprioritized human rights in Yemen. Read more atJust Security. (February 17)
Implementing the Global Fragility Act is an opportunity for the Biden administration to prioritize peacebuilding and address the root causes of violence. Bridget Moix writes at The Hill. (February 11)
