Today's Headlines and Commentary

The United Arab Emirates hired American mercenaries to carry out an assassination program in Yemen, reports Buzzfeed News. U.S. law does not specifically prohibit American citizens from becoming mercenaries, and thus the situation lies in murky legal territory.

Ali Kourani, a previous Hezbollah sleeper member, came forward to the FBI to become an informant in return for a promise of immunity from prosecution and help with a family matter. Instead, he was arrested and detained, reports the New York Times.

Talks between North and South Korea on disarming the border village of Panmunjom and allowing guards and tourists to move freely across the demarcation line have begun as of Tuesday, says the Times.

China has spoken in defense of its indoctrination camps in Xinjiang province, claiming that they are humane vocational education camps; these claims have been strongly criticized by human rights groups and escapees, who say that the camps are prisons engaging in brainwashing, reports the Times.

President Trump has threatened to cut off aid to the Honduras if a caravan of migrants headed for the U.S. is not halted, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Saudi officials may prepare an alternative explanation for the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in which the abducted Washington Post columnist was killed in an interrogation gone wrong—sentiments that have been echoed by President Trump, who said that “rogue killers” could have gotten to Mr. Khashoggi, says the Times.

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Stephen Bates, Jack Goldsmith and Benjamin Wittes explained the significance of the government agreeing to unseal the “Watergate Roadmap”.

Benjamin R. Farley examined the structure of periodic review at Guantanamo Bay and the nature of its disruption under the current administration.

Scott R. Anderson analyzed the investigation of Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance through the lens of international law.

Sarah Grant gave a comprehensive summary of updates from the Court of Military Commission Review, specifically discussing the reversal of the abatement in U.S. v. Al-Nashiri.

Email the Roundup Team noteworthy law and security-related articles to include, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for additional commentary on these issues. Sign up to receive Lawfare in your inbox. Visit our Events Calendar to learn about upcoming national security events, and check out relevant job openings on our Job Board.

We rely on contributions from our generous readers, and now, as a thank you, we're offering a Lawfare challenge coin! Get yours by making a donation at lawfarestore.com.