Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 57m

I don’t know how this war appears to others. Living in Gaza, it’s a war of details. I think back to my first creative writing class, when the instructor told us: “Show, don’t tell. ‘God is in the details.’”

The Gaza I Once Knew Is Gone www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Opinion | The Gaza I Once Knew Is Gone

After two years of war, one Gazan tells of what was lost.

www.nytimes.com

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 1h

18,457 children on Gaza’s list of war dead.

www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

Young lives cut short on an unimaginable scale: the 18,457 children on Gaza’s list of war dead

Every name on a list compiled by health authorities in Gaza of the child victims of Israel’s offensive

www.theguardian.com

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 8h

Cyber and ICL.

Excellent piece

www.justsecurity.org/118463/rome-...

The Rome Statute in the Digital Age: Confronting Emerging Cyber Threats

For the Rome Statute to remain relevant, practitioners must understand how governments can deploy spyware to commit international crimes.

www.justsecurity.org

2 1

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 1d

Today thinking about the families of the hostages held in Gaza, the fragile hope of the return, the fears of loss, and the grief that accompanies great loss.

1 2

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 1d

Slow but steady progress …

npasyria.com/en/130615/

AANES hands over 5 women, 12 children linked to ISIS to South Africa

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced on Monday that it handed over five women and 12

npasyria.com

1

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 2d

Those of us who have heard the word “emergency” and exceptionalism always know how dangerous they are “lawintimesofcrisis” @universitypress.cambridge.org

Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 2d

One of the lessons I discuss in "On Tyranny":
Listen for dangerous words.

Text card: Listen for dangerous words.
Be alert to the use of the words extremism and terrorism. Be alive to the fatal notions of emergency and exception. Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary.
#OnTyranny

2

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 3d

Really interesting analysis and points to the now major beneficiaries of counter terrorism at the UN (Russia and China). Thanks @saferworld.bsky.social for acknowledging my work along the way.

www.saferworld-global.org/resources/pu...

Publications

www.saferworld-global.org

3

Reposted by Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons)

Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 4d

Mary McCord, former Acting Assistant AG for National Security, and I teamed up on Qs Senators should ask #Bondi at her Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, on strikes that have killed 17 people to date.

The implications are serious. Consider a few of the Qs:

www.justsecurity.org/121862/ask-b...

What the Senate Judiciary Committee Should Ask A.G. Bondi on Drug Cartel Strikes

Annotated questions the Senate Judiciary Committee could ask Attorney General Pam Bondi on lethal strikes against drug cartels.

www.justsecurity.org

11 110 260

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 4d

Citizen Lab does it again …

citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...

We Say You Want a Revolution: PRISONBREAK - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime - The Citizen Lab

We investigate a coordinated network of inauthentic X accounts that is spreading AI-generated content to induce revolt in Iran. The network has been active since 2023, but increased activity during th...

citizenlab.ca

1

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 5d

At dheis dé go raibh a anam uasal. Fear álainn séimh.

www.rte.ie/news/2025/10...

Tributes to broadcaster and scríbhneoir Manchán Magan

The writer, broadcaster and documentary maker Manchán Magan has died at the age of 55, his family has confirmed.

www.rte.ie

1

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 5d

Coming to the end of this solemn day for Jews around the world … this terrible news. May their memories be for a blessing —

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Manchester attack: two killed and three injured after terrorist drives into grounds of synagogue and stabs worshippers

Police say Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was behind car and knife attack that left three people seriously injured

www.theguardian.com

1

Reposted by Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons)

Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 6d

Federal law doesn't recognize the concept of a "domestic terrorist organization." That hasn't stopped President Trump from trying to use the concept to authorize investigations of (and necessarily suppress) lots of constitutionally protected speech, protest, and advocacy.

Me in today's "One First":

Bonus 180: "Domestic Terrorism" and NSPM-7

The Trump administration is hoping no one notices that, although federal law *defines* "domestic terrorism," it provides no special authorities against anyone whose behavior *meets* that definition.

www.stevevladeck.com

23 260 790

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 8d

WPS — can this agenda make any difference to women’s lives?

Unclear at this time -

www.womenpeacesecurity.org/resource/ope...

2025 Open Letter to Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in advance of the annual Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security - NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security

Dear Ambassadors, We, the undersigned organizations working across the globe on gender justice, human rights, and peace and security, write to you ahead of the 25th anniversary of Security Council Res...

www.womenpeacesecurity.org

1 1

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 10d

Regret that speaks of responsibility…

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Some Biden Aides are Shifting Their Tune on Israel

Some are changing positions because of Trump’s approach to Israel, and a few are wrestling with whether they could have done more when in charge.

www.politico.com

3

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 10d

Brava to these sports women (and to watch such brilliant rugby) — brilliant -

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...

England outclass Canada to capture glorious Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph

England are Women’s Rugby World Cup winners for a third time after beating Canada 33-13 before a world-record crowd at Twickenham

www.theguardian.com

3

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 10d

Glad to be @asilorg.bsky.social mid-year meeting this weekend in Cleveland, Ohio and with two of my @umnlawschool.bsky.social students who were presenting a paper to the research forum.
Bonus: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1 2

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 11d

That this is where the U.S. military is — beyond belief really —

www.justsecurity.org/121421/hegse...

FAQ for Senior Military Officers at Hegseth's Quantico Meeting

Military justice expert Eugene Fidell answers crucial questions ahead of next week's senior military meeting with Secretary Hegseth.

www.justsecurity.org

1 1

Reposted by Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons)

Minnesota Law @umnlawschool.bsky.social · 11d

@niaolainf.bsky.social, and Alyssa Yamamoto, visiting fellow with MN Law’s Human Rights Center, co-authored an article for OpinioJuris discussing the importance of respecting the privileges and immunities of internationally appointed experts.
z.umn.edu/aqmy

3 5

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 11d

“Speaking to a nearly empty hall after the walkout …”

A metaphor on Israel’s isolation …
turns out that generally most diplomats don’t want to listen to leaders indicted for war crimes …

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09...