Hypothetical Legal Review: Counternarcotic Airstrikes ("Operation Reciprocity")

Former JAG Working Group
Sep 30
1 min read

Summary: This legal review models the advice a staff judge advocate would provide regarding planned lethal strikes on suspected narcotics-trafficking vessels. It concludes there is no domestic legal basis under the Constitution, federal statutes, or the War Powers Resolution, and no international legal basis under self-defense, armed-conflict law, or the law of targeting. It states that drug smugglers do not qualify as lawful military targets and that lethal strikes could expose U.S. personnel to criminal liability for murder or conspiracy. It also outlines obligations for independent legal advice under military regulations.

READ HERE

Recent Posts

See All

Statement on "No Quarter" Orders in Carribean Boat Strikes

Summary: This statement reviews media reports that U.S. forces conducted strikes on a narcotrafficking vessel and then conducted a second strike on surviving individuals in the water. It explains tha

Statement on UCMJ Investigation of Senator Mark Kelly

Summary: This memo outlines the military legal process applicable to potential charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It explains investigative steps, convening authority rules, the proh

Memorandum for the Secretary: Legal Review of OLC Opinion on Judge Advocates Serving as Immigration Judges

Summary: This internal legal review analyzes the Office of Legal Counsel’s opinion permitting military judge advocates to serve as immigration judges and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys. The memo su

Hypothetical Legal Review: Counternarcotic Airstrikes ("Operation Reciprocity")

Recent Posts

STAY IN TOUCH!

Contact Us