Today’s Headlines and Commentary

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Lviv—a city in western Ukraine—was struck by Russian missiles Friday morning, reports the New York Times. According to the city’s mayor, multiple missiles hit an aircraft repair plant at Lviv’s airport complex and destroyed buildings in the area. Lviv is approximately 50 miles from the Polish border and in previous weeks served as somewhat of a safe-haven for Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russian attacks. The missile strikes on Lviv are a potential warning signal of more Russian attacks on western Ukraine in the future, which until recently were rare. 

Ukrainian authorities report that the besieged city of Mariupol is experiencing bombings 50 to 100 times a day, writes the Washington Post. The continued attacks have reportedly destroyed up to 80 percent of homes in the city. Mariupol residents are also in the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis and are running low on critical supplies amid constant Russian attacks. A witness in Mariupol reported that “The sound of warfare is constant. Buildings are struck, and shrapnel flies everywhere.”

President Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday morning to discuss China’s reluctance to join other countries in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the Wall Street Journal. In the phone call, Biden was expected to threaten consequences if China were to offer military or economic assistance to Russia. Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are known to have a close partnership, which has caused tension in U.S.-China relations. In a comment about China’s position on Russia, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry tweeted, “The claim that China is on the wrong side of history is overbearing. It is the U.S. that is on the wrong side of history.” 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters he believes Russia is planning a chemical weapons attack on Ukrainian military personnel and civilians, reports the Hill. Blinken said, “Today, we have a strong sense of what Russia could do next. We believe that Moscow may be setting the stage to use a chemical weapon and then falsely blame Ukraine to justify escalating its attacks on the Ukrainian people.” Blinken’s comments to reporters are part of the Biden administration’s strategy of declassifying intelligence on Russia’s plans in the invasion to combat Russian disinformation and propaganda. 

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to suspend normal trade operations with Russia, writes the New York Times. In a vote of 424-t0-8, the House voted to strip Russia of its preferential trade status with the U.S. and would allow the U.S. to impose higher tariffs on Russian goods in retaliation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The eight lawmakers who voted in opposition of the bill were all members of the Republican Party. 

The United Nations Security Council voted to renew the mandate of the U.N. special political mission in Afghanistan, according to the U.N. News Centre. Fourteen of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, with Russia abstaining. The mission will be extended for one year, and is intended to offer humanitarian assistance, monitor human rights and provide outreach and facilitate dialogue for and with the Afghan people. The mission also will work to promote good governance and the rule of law in the country. 

The U.N. Human Rights Office released a report detailing serious human rights abuses in Myanmar that could potentially amount to war crimes against humanity, reports the U.N. News Centre. The report finds that military and security forces in Myanmar deliberately targeted civilians with attacks using airstrikes and heavy weapons on densely populated areas. The report also reveals that Myanmar’s military and security forces showed a “flagrant disregard for human life” and allegedly shot many civilians in the head, burned them to death, and arbitrarily arrested, tortured or used the individuals as human shields. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights writes, “The appalling breadth and scale of violations of international law suffered by the people of Myanmar demand a firm, unified, and resolute international response.”

A Texas man pleaded guilty to one count of assault on law enforcement with a dangerous weapon during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, writes the Washington Post. Lucas Denny faces three to six years in prison for his crimes. According to court records, Denny is the founder of a Proud-Boys “aligned” militia in Texas named the “Patriot Boys of North Texas.” During the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Denny was captured on camera swinging his fists at and grabbing a Capitol Police officer who later suffered a heart attack. Images and videos also show Denny swinging a large PVC pipe at officers, which he later in court admitted qualified as a dangerous weapon. 

The Justice Department unsealed charges against a Wisconsin man who reportedly claimed that it was “satisfying” to attack and harm U.S. Capitol Police officers during the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, according to CNN. Riley Kasper faces six charges for his alleged role in the Capitol assault, such as assaulting law enforcement using a deadly or dangerous weapon. In a Facebook message, Kasper allegedly wrote “I pepper sprayed 3 cops so bad they got undressed and went home. I basically organized my own little militia and we f--ing took over Congress.”

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Jen Patja Howell shared an episode of the Lawfare Podcast in which Evelyn Douek and Quinta Jurecic spoke with Nick Waters about how open-source investigations work and why they’re important. They talked about the crucial role played by open-source investigators in documenting the conflict in Syria and how the field has developed since its origins in the Arab Spring and the start of the Syrian Civil War.

Etta Lanum discussed the implications of the Supreme Court’s 2021 decision to not overturn the current requirements for selective service.

Bryce Klehm posted an order released by the International Court of Justice on allegations of genocide in Ukraine. 

Stewart Baker shared an episode of the Cyberlaw Podcast in which he was joined by Paul Rosenzweig, David Kris and Jane Bambauer to discuss topics ranging from Biden’s executive order on cryptocurrency to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

David Priess shared an episode of the Chatter Podcast in which he sat down with Marisol Maddox to discuss how climate change is driving heightened geopolitical interest in the Arctic, the Arctic Council and other international institutions focusing on the region, and more.

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