The landscape of civilian protection in warfare is shifting dramatically as the International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) convenes at NATO headquarters in Brussels. This summit, a critical forum for advancing global standards, proceeds without the United States, marking a significant departure from American leadership in this domain.
Three years ago, the Defense Department spearheaded an international initiative to enhance civilian safeguards during combat, drawing from hard-learned lessons in Afghanistan and Iraq. This effort culminated in the creation of shared standards and a network with European partners, offering what experts hailed as a unique opportunity for American leadership by example.
The Evolution and Decline of U.S. Involvement in CHMR
The Pentagon’s CHMR mission, adopted in 2022, aimed to mitigate civilian harm through specialized centers for data collection and embedded advisers to reduce risks to noncombatants. Collaborating with the Netherlands, the U.S. fostered international cooperation, particularly after high-profile incidents like the 2015 Dutch operation in Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of at least 70 civilians. This tragic event underscored the urgent need for improved civilian protection measures.
However, the momentum built by the U.S. has waned. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismantled the civilian protection mission, reducing staff from nearly 200 to about two dozen. This decision has left a void in the international effort, with no U.S. delegation present at the Brussels summit. Current and former officials express concerns over this retreat, citing reports of rising civilian casualties in Iran following strikes on schools and homes as a stark consequence.
The Global Response to the U.S. Withdrawal
Despite the U.S. absence, the CHMR initiative persists under the leadership of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The two-day summit in Brussels features broad discussions on CHMR applications in various contexts, including coalition operations and maritime scenarios. Day two focuses on closed-door sessions among senior representatives of member states, culminating in a looking ahead panel to chart future directions.
Participants from Austria, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Norway bring diverse perspectives to the table, reflecting varied approaches and needs in civilian harm mitigation. The U.K., lacking a formal CHMR framework, sees this summit as an opportunity to formalize its policies, potentially setting a new standard for civilian protection.
NATO’s Role in Shaping Civilian Protection Standards
NATO’s civilian protection policy, predating the American model, is now incorporating elements of the U.S. approach. Andrew Hyde, a researcher at the Stimson Center, emphasizes the importance of international talks in harmonizing CHMR applications across different interpretations of harm mitigation. The diminished U.S. role necessitates increased coordination from NATO and other partners to fill the leadership gap.
The shift in leadership could lead to more enduring reforms, shielding civilian protection work from the fluctuations of U.S. administrative changes. As NATO continues to push forward, the stage is set for potential U.S. re-engagement in the future, ensuring the continuity of global efforts to protect civilians in conflict zones.
