- Terrorism and Counterterrorism, International Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, War on Terror, Political Violence and Terrorism, and 25 moreHuman Rights, Law of Armed Conflict, Middle East Studies, Turkish and Middle East Studies, Law, Terrorism, Propaganda, Criminology, Critical Terrorism Studies, France, Legality of Use of Drones, White Supremacy, Far-Right Politics, Somalia, US lethal opeations, Human Rights Law, Torture, Peace and Conflict Studies, Open Source Intelligence, Yemen, Drones, Military Drones, Iranian Studies, Houthi, and Counter terrorismedit
- Khalil Dewan is the Head of Legal Investigations at London-based law firm Stoke White, and PhD candidate in Law at SO... moreKhalil Dewan is the Head of Legal Investigations at London-based law firm Stoke White, and PhD candidate in Law at SOAS, University of London. He is a Member of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) in London, UK.
Specialities: International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, Drone Warfare, Investigations, Critical Legal Theories.
Invited conferences, guest lectures and roundtables include:
University of Bath UK (2015), University of Liverpool (05/2017), Boğaziçi University, Istanbul (15/09/2019), University of Westminster, UK (14/10/2021), University of Manchester, UK (02/11/2021), International University of Sarajevo Bosnia (16-20/12/2021), Auckland University, NZ (23/02/2022), Qatar University, (03/02/2022), Ziauddin University, Pakistan, (04/02/2022), Uni. of Edinburgh, UK, Centre for Global and International Law (18/02/2022) with S. Moyn, MoD, RAF, FCDO & others., University of Salford (23/03/2022), University of Liverpool John Moore’s (18/03/2022), Disruption Network Lab, Germany, (25-27/03/2022) 'Kill Cloud': Networked Warfare, Drones & AI., Syracuse University, US. (23-25/06/2022), Istanbul, Inaugural Conference (14-15/07/2022), University of Sheffield, UK, 'Drones in Society: New Visual Aesthetics' (8-9/09/2022), London School of Economics (LSE) (19/01/2023).edit - Professor Lutz Oette edit
The book under review contains six sections, each with four or five chapters, covering issues of surveillance, control, and the art of whistle-blowing. In this review, I will focus on how the book’s argument, as exemplified in selected... more
The book under review contains six sections, each with four or five chapters, covering issues of surveillance, control, and the art of whistle-blowing. In this review, I will focus on how the book’s argument, as exemplified in selected chapters, shifts the debate on US drone strikes and targeted killings, in order to recommend the book to the attention of the law, conflict, security and human rights community.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The book under review contains six sections, each with four or five chapters, covering issues of surveillance, control, and the art of whistle-blowing. In this review, I will focus on how the book’s argument, as exemplified in selected... more
The book under review contains six sections, each with four or five chapters, covering issues of surveillance, control, and the art of whistle-blowing. In this review, I will focus on how the book’s argument, as exemplified in selected chapters, shifts the debate on US drone strikes and targeted killings, in order to recommend the book to the attention of the law, conflict, security and human rights community.
Research Interests:
The Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Houthi armed group are dealing with drone strikes in Yemen in starkly different ways. Open source investigation reveals that AQAP are on the defensive over the threat of U.S.... more
The Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Houthi armed group are dealing with drone strikes in Yemen in starkly different ways.
Open source investigation reveals that AQAP are on the defensive over the threat of U.S. reconnaissance and armed drones, leading them to desperately convey to their members to avoid being intercepted for locational intelligence.
Open source investigation reveals that AQAP are on the defensive over the threat of U.S. reconnaissance and armed drones, leading them to desperately convey to their members to avoid being intercepted for locational intelligence.
Research Interests:
Any news suggesting a Houthi “drone strike” or “ballistic missile” attack should not be downplayed by any of the parties involved in the conflict in Yemen. The last two years have seen the rise of the Houthi’s asymmetric capabilities,... more
Any news suggesting a Houthi “drone strike” or “ballistic missile” attack should not be downplayed by any of the parties involved in the conflict in Yemen. The last two years have seen the rise of the Houthi’s asymmetric capabilities, especially against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Houthi sources, however, should not be used exclusively as evidence when investigating claims of drone attacks.
Research Interests:
TRT World Research Centre’s investigation presents evidence that New Zealand’s intelligence and law enforcement operate with a disproportional focus on the suspect Muslim communities, which has paved the way for oversight on the Far-Right... more
TRT World Research Centre’s investigation presents evidence that New Zealand’s intelligence and law enforcement operate with a disproportional focus on the suspect Muslim communities, which has paved the way for oversight on the Far-Right and White Supremacist political violence. In their dealings with the Muslim community, numerous cases of harassment, coercion and blackmail were uncovered. While these cases put in question the operational activities of the ZSIS, they also raise questions about their overall strategic posture.
The report documents 11 New Zealand-based cases of ZSIS harassment, coercion and blackmail between 2008 and 2017.
The testimonies reveal violations of both International Human Rights Law and Domestic Law. A review of New Zealand’s counter-terrorism instruments reveals that a blind eye is turned to ‘other’ non-Muslim threats of violence such as White Supremacy and the Far Right. The report uncovers the inner-workings of New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (ZSIS), in response to two of the main terms of reference for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attacks of March 15th, 2019. The Royal Commission must put the victims at the centre of the inquiry, to understand from a grass-roots level the impact of anti-Muslim sentiment (Islamophobia) and counter-terrorism in practice in New Zealand. This would grossly ill-inform the inquiry when attempting to understand why the ZSIS failed to prevent the massacre at Christchurch.
The report documents 11 New Zealand-based cases of ZSIS harassment, coercion and blackmail between 2008 and 2017.
The testimonies reveal violations of both International Human Rights Law and Domestic Law. A review of New Zealand’s counter-terrorism instruments reveals that a blind eye is turned to ‘other’ non-Muslim threats of violence such as White Supremacy and the Far Right. The report uncovers the inner-workings of New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (ZSIS), in response to two of the main terms of reference for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attacks of March 15th, 2019. The Royal Commission must put the victims at the centre of the inquiry, to understand from a grass-roots level the impact of anti-Muslim sentiment (Islamophobia) and counter-terrorism in practice in New Zealand. This would grossly ill-inform the inquiry when attempting to understand why the ZSIS failed to prevent the massacre at Christchurch.
Research Interests:
Although suicide attacks have been carried out for hundreds of years, suicide bombings have only been a permanent feature of conflicts since the 1980s. In recent years, though, their use has dramatically escalated. AOAV, which collects... more
Although suicide attacks have been carried out for hundreds of years, suicide bombings have only been a permanent feature of conflicts since the 1980s. In recent years, though, their use has dramatically escalated. AOAV, which collects data on explosive violence, has recorded a total of 1,191 suicide bombings globally between 2011 and 2015, resulting in 31,477 civilian deaths and injuries.
The vast majority of suicide bombings within these years have been carried out by international Salafi-Jihadi terrorist organisations.
In light of this, AOAV’s extensive report Understanding the rising cult of the suicide bomber investigates what makes individuals give their lives, and take others, for causes propagated by these transnational terrorist groups.
It also looks at what effect such attacks have had on local and regional conflicts, as well as on the communities exposed to them.
Furthermore, the report proposes how states and other actors in the international community might seek to prevent their use and further escalation based on the reports’ findings.
The report is based on extensive field-work, as well as a thorough mapping and investigation of specific suicide bombings and the individuals that perpetrated them.
The vast majority of suicide bombings within these years have been carried out by international Salafi-Jihadi terrorist organisations.
In light of this, AOAV’s extensive report Understanding the rising cult of the suicide bomber investigates what makes individuals give their lives, and take others, for causes propagated by these transnational terrorist groups.
It also looks at what effect such attacks have had on local and regional conflicts, as well as on the communities exposed to them.
Furthermore, the report proposes how states and other actors in the international community might seek to prevent their use and further escalation based on the reports’ findings.
The report is based on extensive field-work, as well as a thorough mapping and investigation of specific suicide bombings and the individuals that perpetrated them.
Research Interests:
TRT World Research Centre’s investigation presents evidence that the Syrian regime has systematically employed the use of sexual violence and rape as a stratagem of war. The report ‘No one hears us’: Torture of Women in Syria’s Dungeons... more
TRT World Research Centre’s investigation presents evidence that the Syrian regime has systematically employed the use of sexual violence and rape as a stratagem of war. The report ‘No one hears us’: Torture of Women in Syria’s Dungeons documents testimonies of 14 former female detainees who were tortured between 2011 and 2016.
Women have been one of the primary targets in the onslaught against Syria’s population. As part of a deliberate strategy employed by the regime, women have faced systematic sexual harassment, unlawful touching with sexual intent, rape, beatings and extrajudicial killings.
Psychological torture has been used against female detainees, including forcing them to listen to torture of family members and prolonged solitary confinement. Torture and abuse are used as a tool to weaken women, place fear in their hearts and extract confessions for allegedly colluding with opposition groups and anti-government protests. The abuses documented via the testimonies of former detainees appear to have violated both International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
It is clear that the Syrian regime is committing crimes against humanity and therefore the TRT World Research Centre calls for an impartial investigation into the incessant sexual violence and horrific torture methods.
Women have been one of the primary targets in the onslaught against Syria’s population. As part of a deliberate strategy employed by the regime, women have faced systematic sexual harassment, unlawful touching with sexual intent, rape, beatings and extrajudicial killings.
Psychological torture has been used against female detainees, including forcing them to listen to torture of family members and prolonged solitary confinement. Torture and abuse are used as a tool to weaken women, place fear in their hearts and extract confessions for allegedly colluding with opposition groups and anti-government protests. The abuses documented via the testimonies of former detainees appear to have violated both International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
It is clear that the Syrian regime is committing crimes against humanity and therefore the TRT World Research Centre calls for an impartial investigation into the incessant sexual violence and horrific torture methods.
Research Interests:
On 3 January, 2021 France executed airstrike as part of its Operation Barkhane mission in central Mali, Bounti. France claimed it attacked an armed “terrorist group”, but locals say it was a wedding party. A UN (MINUSMA) report on the... more
On 3 January, 2021 France executed airstrike as part of its Operation Barkhane mission in central Mali, Bounti. France claimed it attacked an armed “terrorist group”, but locals say it was a wedding party. A UN (MINUSMA) report on the attack - a first for investigating France’s military activities in Mali - concluded that a wedding was attacked with 19 civilians killed. But France dismissed the findings. What happened on the Sunday afternoon is disputed by all parties of this civilian casualty allegation.
Stoke White Investigations (SWI-unit) presents further insight on the contested civilian casualty allegation that occurred under the pretext of counter-terrorism. This report focuses on unearthing relevant open-source intelligence and traditional human rights testimony for public interest purposes. Based on testimonies documented, no victims of this attack have been approached by France or the Mali government to date – suggesting that a post-strike investigation has not been initiated despite mounting evidence.
Stoke White Investigations (SWI-unit) presents further insight on the contested civilian casualty allegation that occurred under the pretext of counter-terrorism. This report focuses on unearthing relevant open-source intelligence and traditional human rights testimony for public interest purposes. Based on testimonies documented, no victims of this attack have been approached by France or the Mali government to date – suggesting that a post-strike investigation has not been initiated despite mounting evidence.
Research Interests:
TRT World Research Centre's investigation presents credible evidence that some 21 civilians were killed in the Lower Shebelle region in Somalia by manned and unmanned weapon systems in three different case incidences that occurred between... more
TRT World Research Centre's investigation presents credible evidence that some 21 civilians were killed in the Lower Shebelle region in Somalia by manned and unmanned weapon systems in three different case incidences that occurred between January 2019 and March 2019.
TRT World Research Centre's investigation (in collaboration with the Newsmakers) presents credible evidence that some 21 civilians were killed in the Lower Shebelle region in Somalia by manned and unmanned weapon systems in three different case incidences that occurred between January 2019 and March 2019. The US government acknowledged two of the three case incidences, and claimed that no civilians were killed. The other case incident was not acknowledged, after formally requesting information.
TRT World Research Centre’s report findings directly undermines the US’s assertion that no civilians were killed in these strikes in Somalia, despite a change to its policy in Somalia on March 2017 that effectively weakened non-combatant and civilian protections. The Trump administration introduced the idea of temporary battlefields or “area of active hostilities” permitting strikes if there is “reasonable certainty” that civilians will not be injured or killed – in juxtaposition to a previous standard of “near certainty”. Instead, the US government have accelerated the number of strikes in Somalia.
The cases documented show signs that the US forces – in some cases in conjunction with Somali forces – had no respect for international law and did not distinguish between armed combatants and non-combatants or civilians. The fact that US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in two out of three case incidences documented by TRT World Research Centre, failed to report on civilian casualties, raises questions over US lethal operations in Somalia.
TRT World Research Centre's investigation (in collaboration with the Newsmakers) presents credible evidence that some 21 civilians were killed in the Lower Shebelle region in Somalia by manned and unmanned weapon systems in three different case incidences that occurred between January 2019 and March 2019. The US government acknowledged two of the three case incidences, and claimed that no civilians were killed. The other case incident was not acknowledged, after formally requesting information.
TRT World Research Centre’s report findings directly undermines the US’s assertion that no civilians were killed in these strikes in Somalia, despite a change to its policy in Somalia on March 2017 that effectively weakened non-combatant and civilian protections. The Trump administration introduced the idea of temporary battlefields or “area of active hostilities” permitting strikes if there is “reasonable certainty” that civilians will not be injured or killed – in juxtaposition to a previous standard of “near certainty”. Instead, the US government have accelerated the number of strikes in Somalia.
The cases documented show signs that the US forces – in some cases in conjunction with Somali forces – had no respect for international law and did not distinguish between armed combatants and non-combatants or civilians. The fact that US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in two out of three case incidences documented by TRT World Research Centre, failed to report on civilian casualties, raises questions over US lethal operations in Somalia.
Research Interests:
The rise of the far-right and white supremacy pre-dates the War on Terror. The lack of focus on this threat stems from an inherent legal-architectural design flaw, which has been in place since 9/11. Consequently, the global response to... more
The rise of the far-right and white supremacy pre-dates the War on Terror. The lack of focus on this threat stems from an inherent legal-architectural design flaw, which has been in place since 9/11. Consequently, the global response to political violence perpetrated by non-Muslims is not handled through the legal framework of the “War of Terror.” The reason has been clear for nearly two decades: Terrorism was not seen as a white problem. The rationale for such a position lays in the adoption and dissemination of orientalist ideology by power structures in Western countries. This ideology cascaded down to the masses worldwide via the mobilisation of media bias, which demonised certain ethnic groups and played upon fears of the ‘other’. The attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, demonstrate that white supremacy terrorism is here to stay.