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News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Proportionality In Times Of Asymmetric Warfare
In a world where asymmetry has become the norm, there is a need to push the limits of proportionality At a time when the world finds itself engulfed in overlapping crises—the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the war between Iran and Israel, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and, closer to home, the violence in Myanmar—the question that repeatedly surfaces is that of 'proportionality'. We live at a time when the sky has become a battleground and drone attacks redefine notions of accountability. In this context, the doctrine of proportionality finds itself both, invoked and interrogated. This cardinal principle of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is no longer being merely referenced, it is being distorted, challenged, and sometimes even misused. With every retaliatory strike undertaken by a sovereign state, proportionality becomes a tool of political cudgel. Proportionality, in its most distilled legal form, is about equilibrium: the requirement that the anticipated military advantage of an attack not be outweighed by the incidental harm to civilians. The St. Petersburg Declaration of 1868, a foundational text of IHL, enshrined this moral-legal compromise: the necessities of war must be reconciled with the laws of humanity. But this balance has become infinitely more precarious in contemporary warfare where Non-State Actors embed themselves within civilian populations; where states are forced to confront transnational terrorism with 'measured' force; and where the boundaries between principles and policy in warfare grow obscure each passing day. Against this backdrop, take a look at India's Operation Sindoor. It was New Delhi's response to the April 22nd Pahalgam terrorist attack perpetrated by Pakistan, and targeted innocent Hindu tourists. India's retaliatory strike on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan was described by India as 'focused, measured, and non-escalatory". This is a phrase that mirrors proportionality's ethical objectives. No Pakistani military establishments were targeted. India's deliberate choice underscored the intent to not cross escalation thresholds while also reaffirming deterrence. While India was praised for offering a powerful lesson in restraint, there were a few instances where India's response was called 'an act of war" and 'regrettable". This mostly came from Pakistan, and its all-weather ally, China. However, it does push us to think: Can proportionality, as traditionally conceived, account for state responses to threats posed by terrorist organizations often sheltered by complicit regimes like Pakistan? Proportionality in counterinsurgency is a vital wing of modern-day warfare, albeit evolving. It is an extension of the application of IHL. While IHL developed primarily for conflicts between states, present times force a revamp of the principle. This is because modern-day wars are fought in the non-international armed conflict (NIAC) setting—where state actors often engage with non-state actors. Scholars remain divided on this, exposing the unresolved contours of proportionality in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency. Maintaining the status quo on the application of proportionality may, inadvertently, promote insurgencies by giving them a safe space. Insurgents exploit those spaces as operational bases that have dense civilian population, as states avoid attacking such areas due to fears of legal overreach, thereby making them de facto sanctuaries. Governments face a grim dilemma: risk civilian harm and face accusations of war crimes; or abstain from targeting these zones and give tactical advantage to the insurgents. The strategy of civilian camouflage is being increasingly employed in wars all around the globe. In such cases, proportionality risks becoming a weapon in the insurgent's arsenal and not a legal standard for the state to follow. Moreover, the principle of proportionality must not be examined in isolation from its moral cousin: the principle of distinction. This principle states that protection is afforded not to places or objects per se, but to those not actively participating in hostilities. The challenge is that modern, asymmetric warfare has effectively erased this line. Whatever remains of it is becoming increasingly porous as insurgents seek cover among the innocent civilians. India's Operation Sindoor, therefore, can become a case study in how proportionality can and should function in modern conflicts and warfare. By targeting only terrorist camps, calibrating intensity to match the provocation, and abstaining from escalation, India not only affirmed its sovereign right to self-defense but did so within the parameters of legal and ethical warfare. It not only kept the lines of communication open with Pakistan, but also reassured them that India's fight was with terrorism, and not Pakistan and its civilians. This stands in contrast to the prevailing pattern of permissiveness that increasingly defines contemporary, global anti-terror operations. For example, data shows that the United States has killed more than 1,000 people in counterterrorism operations in Yemen. There is growing concern about whether necessity and proportionality are being gradually hollowed out in the name of realpolitik. To conclude, it must be underscored that the principle of proportionality is not broken; however, it is being increasingly challenged. Proportionality is a crucial principle that acts as a safeguard against unchecked violence. However, the time has come to revisit the principle – not by recalibrating the standards, but by its application. In a world where asymmetry has become the norm, there is a need to push the limits of proportionality. Esha Banerji is presently associated with a premier think-tank in India, specialising in defence, security, and strategic studies. Her research interest and focuses of analysis are defence strategy, geo-economics, foreign affairs, and the implications of Chinese security developments on the region, especially India. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
27 caught and fined for vaping in 5-hour blitz, including man in void deck wearing vape round his neck
27 caught and fined for vaping in 5-hour blitz, including man in void deck wearing vape round his neck Andrew Wong and Zaihan Mohamed Yusof The Straits Times July 17, 2025 The anti-vaping blitz has extended to areas near schools, with enforcement officers conducting checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on July 14. In total, 27 people were caught and fined for vaping in enforcement operations conducted at several community hot spots, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) told The Straits Times. Another eight people were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years old, said HSA, which added that 31 e-vaporisers were seized in the five-hour-long blitz. Work in the East started just after 11am, with HSA officers positioning themselves at various spots where people gather outside the institutes. Within the first hour, a man was caught loitering at an HDB void deck across from the school with a vape around his neck. HSA officers confiscated his vape, suspected to be a Kpod or etomidate-laced pod. Etomidate is an anaesthetic agent used in clinical practice. It is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. This means a licence is required for its importation or sale. About 500m away from where the first man was caught, HSA officers found a man vaping at a bus stop directly opposite a school in full public view. He told officers that he had just seen a doctor and was given a medical certificate. The man was allowed to leave after enforcement officers recorded his particulars. At around 4pm, ST followed HSA officers to an IHL in the north of Singapore, where officers found six people using vapes. IHLs comprise autonomous universities, art institutions, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education. PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES The Ministry of Health and HSA said in a joint statement on May 16 that from January 2024 to March 2025, about 2,600 students were referred to HSA by schools and IHLs for vaping. Previous figures released showed that there were about 800 cases in 2022, 900 cases the following year and 2,000 cases in 2024. Teachers, who spoke to ST on the condition of anonymity, say vaping, which has been banned in Singapore since 2018, has been a problem in schools here. Roger (not his real name) said he sees an average of three to four cases of students getting caught with vapes a month. "Some schools have resorted to using portable metal detectors to check students when there is a tip-off," said Roger, who has been teaching in a secondary school for more than 20 years. He added that at his school, bags are checked only when there is reliable information that the student may be using e-vaporisers. Jim (not his real name) said the situation at his IHL has worsened since 2023, when about 200 students were caught vaping in the institute each month. He said students would hide the vapes in false ceilings or behind mirrors inside toilets. Jim declined to provide the number of students caught for vaping offences in 2024 and 2025, saying that it might identify his institute. Roger said he is aware of the emergence of etomidate-laced vapes, or Kpods. His school was first alerted to the use of laced vapes by a concerned parent who found her child in a "drugged out" state. Laced vapes rose to prominence in April when a 13-year-old girl was caught behaving erratically outside the State Courts after puffing on a vape. A subsequent raid of her home by HSA officers found that she had an etomidate-laced vape device in her possession. Roger said that, fortunately, no students have been caught with laced pods in his school. Jim said the emergence of Kpods has added another layer of complexity. "Kpods is my number one nemesis because we have seen students using Kpods and, within seconds, they're not themselves. They don't know what is happening to them and their surroundings," he added. Jim said that he had previously contacted the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for guidance when a student was caught while high on the laced product. He said he was referred to HSA. PHOTO: STOMP For students caught vaping, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) offers cessation support via tele-counselling service QuitLine, and on-site counselling by student health advisers in some schools. Nearly 1,800 young people received counselling between January 2024 and March 2025. HPB and the Ministry of Education will also soon start a year-long virtual cessation counselling pilot for all secondary schools, slated to kick off in July. Meanwhile, medical practitioners and public healthcare institutions have been told to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases. In a circular dated July 9, MOH and HSA said medical practitioners should also get patients to surrender their e-vaporisers and consider sending their urine samples for testing. Schools have also sent advisories to parents through Parents Gateway, an app that connects parents and schools on key administrative matters. The advisory provides warning of the dangers of vaping and how parents can protect their children. Secondary school teacher Lim (not his real name) said he has received e-mails from his school's student management committee to look out for vapes. "Metal detectors have been used during bag checks, but that happens only if there is a tip-off or when we have a valid reason to be suspicious that the particular student possesses a vape," said Lim. Mr Gopal Mahey, senior counsellor at the Centre for Psychotherapy, said more parents and their children have reached out for help in dealing with addiction to vaping. He said many clients had initially assumed that vaping was a safer or "cleaner" alternative to cigarettes. "With substances like etomidate or even tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and amphetamines lacing the same devices, the risks have escalated dramatically. "I've had clients who shared that they unknowingly inhaled drug-laced pods because a friend had handed one to them at a party," said Mr Gopal. He said young people are still navigating through their formative years and may be seeking belonging and approval from others. "If we don't intervene strongly now, with compassion, clarity and consequence, we risk watching this generation inhale their way to a new form of dependency, and by the time many seek help, it's already taken root. "The window for prevention is narrow, but it's still open," he said. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
AsiaOne
17-07-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — The anti-vaping blitz has extended to areas near schools, with enforcement officers conducting checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on Monday (July 14). In total, 27 people were caught and fined for vaping in enforcement operations conducted at several community hot spots, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) told The Straits Times. Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years old, said HSA, which added that 31 e-vaporisers were seized in the four-hour-long operation. [[nid:720201]] Work in the East started just after 11am, with HSA officers positioning themselves at various spots where people gather outside the institutes. Within the first hour, a man was caught loitering at a HDB void deck across from the school, with a vape around his neck. HSA officers confiscated his vape, suspected to be a Kpod or etomidate-laced pod. Etomidate is an anaesthetic agent used in clinical practice. It is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. This means a licence is required for its importation or sale. About 500m away from where the first man was caught, HSA officers found a man vaping at a bus stop directly opposite a school, in full public view. He told officers that he had just seen a doctor and was given a medical certificate. The man was allowed to leave after enforcement officers recorded his particulars. At around 4pm, ST followed HSA officers to an IHL in the north of Singapore, where officers found six people using vapes. IHLs comprise autonomous universities, art institutions, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education. The Ministry of Health and HSA said in a joint statement on May 16 that from January 2024 to March 2025, about 2,600 students were referred to HSA by schools and IHLs for vaping. Previous figures released showed that there were about 800 cases in 2022, 900 cases the following year and 2,000 cases in 2024. Teachers, who spoke to ST on the condition of anonymity, say vaping, which has been banned in Singapore since 2018, has been a problem in schools here. Roger (not his real name) said he sees an average of three to four cases of students getting caught with vapes a month. "Some schools have resorted to using portable metal detectors to check students when there is a tip-off," said Roger, who has been teaching in a secondary school for more than 20 years. He added that at his school, bags are checked only when there is reliable information that the student may be using e-vaporisers. Jim (not his real name) said the situation at his IHL has worsened since 2023, when about 200 students were caught vaping in the institute each month. He said students would hide the vapes in false ceilings or behind mirrors inside toilets. Jim declined to provide the number of students caught for vaping offences in 2024 and 2025, saying that it might identify his institute. Roger said he is aware of the emergence of etomidate-laced vapes, or Kpods. His school was first alerted to the use of laced vapes by a concerned parent who found her child in a "drugged out" state. Laced vapes rose to prominence in April when a 13-year-old girl was caught behaving erratically outside the State Courts after puffing on a vape. A subsequent raid of her home by HSA officers found that she had an etomidate-laced vape device in her possession. Roger said that, fortunately, no students have been caught with laced pods in his school. Jim said the emergence of Kpods has added another layer of complexity. "Kpods are my number one nemesis because we have seen students using Kpods and, within seconds, they're not themselves. They don't know what is happening to them and their surroundings," he added. Jim said that he had previously contacted the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for guidance when a student was caught while high on the laced product. He said he was referred to HSA. For students caught vaping, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) offers cessation support via tele-counselling service QuitLine, and on-site counselling by student health advisers in some schools. Nearly 1,800 young people received counselling between January 2024 and March 2025. HPB and the Ministry of Education will also soon start a year-long virtual cessation counselling pilot for all secondary schools, slated to kick off in July. Meanwhile, medical practitioners and public healthcare institutions have been told to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases. In a circular dated July 9, MOH and HSA said medical practitioners should also get patients to surrender their e-vaporisers and consider sending their urine samples for testing. Schools have also sent advisories to parents through Parents Gateway, an app that connects parents and schools on key administrative matters. The advisory provides warning of the dangers of vaping and how parents can protect their children. Secondary school teacher Lim (not his real name) said he has received e-mails from his school's student management committee to look out for vapes. "Metal detectors have been used during bag checks, but that happens only if there is a tip-off or when we have a valid reason to be suspicious that the particular student possesses a vape," said Lim. Gopal Mahey, senior counsellor at the Centre for Psychotherapy, said more parents and their children have reached out for help in dealing with addiction to vaping. He said many clients had initially assumed that vaping was a safer or "cleaner" alternative to cigarettes. "With substances like etomidate or even tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and amphetamines lacing the same devices, the risks have escalated dramatically. "I've had clients who shared that they unknowingly inhaled drug-laced pods because a friend had handed one to them at a party," said Gopal. He said young people are still navigating through their formative years and may be seeking belonging and approval from others. "If we don't intervene strongly now, with compassion, clarity and consequence, we risk watching this generation inhale their way to a new form of dependency, and by the time many seek help, it's already taken root. "The window for prevention is narrow, but it's still open," he said. [[nid:720256]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Straits Times
HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A HSA officer (right) confiscating a vape from a student in Tampines on July 14. SINGAPORE - The anti-vaping blitz has extended to areas near schools, with enforcement officers conducting checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on July 14. In total, 27 people were caught and fined for vaping in enforcement operations conducted at several community hot spots, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) told The Straits Times. 'Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years,' said HSA, which added that 31 e-vaporisers were seized in the four-hour-long operation. The operation in the East started just after 11am, with HSA officers positioning themselves across various points where people gather outside the IHL. Within the first hour, a man was caught loitering at a HDB void deck across from the school, with a vape hooked across his neck. HSA officers confiscated his vape, suspected to be a Kpod or etomidate-laced pod. Etomidate is an anaesthetic agent used in clinical practice. It is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. This means a licence is required for its importation or sale. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA Business Singapore key exports surprise with 13% rebound in June Business Market versus mission: What will Income Insurance choose? Life First look at the new Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa Opinion AI and education: We need to know where this sudden marriage is heading Singapore Coffee Meets Bagel's Singpass check: Why I'll swipe right on that Singapore Jail for man who fatally hit his daughter, 2, while driving van without licence About 500m away from where the first man was caught, HSA officers found a man vaping at a bus stop directly opposite a school, in full public view. He told officers that he had just seen a doctor and was given a medical certificate. The man was allowed to leave after enforcement officers recorded his particulars. At around 4pm, ST followed HSA officers to an IHL located in the north of Singapore, where officers found six people using vapes. IHLs comprise autonomous universities, art institutions, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education. The Ministry of Health and HSA said in a joint statement on May 16 that from January 2024 to March 2025 about 2,600 students were referred to HSA by schools and IHLs for vaping. Previous figures released showed that there were about 800 cases in 2022, 900 cases the next year and 2,000 cases in 2024 . Teachers, who spoke to ST on the condition of anonymity, say vaping, which has been banned in Singapore since 2018, has been a problem in schools here. Roger (not his real name) said he sees an average of three to four cases of students getting caught with vapes a month. 'Some schools have resorted to using portable metal detectors to check students when there is a tip-off,' said Roger, who has been teaching in a secondary school for more than 20 years. He added that at his school, bags are checked only when there is reliable information that the student may be using e-vaporisers. Jim (not his real name) said the situation at his IHL has worsened since 2023, when about 200 students were caught vaping in the institute each month. He said students would hide the vapes in false ceilings or behind the mirrors inside the toilets. Jim declined to provide the number of students caught for vaping offences in 2024 and 2025, saying that it might identify his institute. Roger said he is also aware of the emergence of etomidate-laced vapes, or Kpods. His school was first alerted to the use of laced vapes by a concerned parent who found her child in a 'drugged out' state. Laced vapes rose to prominence in April when a 13-year-old girl was caught while behaving erratically outside the State Courts after puffing on a vape. A subsequent raid of her home by HSA officers found that she had a etomidate-laced vape device in her possession. Roger said that, fortunately, no students have been caught with laced pods in his school. Jim said the emergence of Kpods has added another layer of complexity. 'Kpods is my number one nemesis because we have seen students who use Kpods, and within seconds they're not themselves. They don't know what is happening to them and their surroundings,' he added. Jim said that he had previously contacted the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for guidance when a student was caught while high on the laced product. He said he was referred to HSA. For students caught vaping, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) offers cessation support via tele-counselling service QuitLine, and on-site counselling by student health advisers in some schools. Nearly 1,800 young people received counselling between January 2024 and March 2025. HPB and the Ministry of Education will also soon start a year-long virtual cessation counselling pilot for all secondary schools, slated to kick off in July. Meanwhile, medical practitioners and public healthcare institutions have been told to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases. In a circular dated July 9, MOH and HSA said medical practitioners should also get patients to surrender their e-vaporisers and consider sending their urine samples for testing. Schools have also sent advisories to parents through Parents Gateway, an app that connects parents and schools on key administrative matters. The advisory provides warning of the dangers of vaping and how parents can protect their children. Secondary school teacher Lim (not his real name) said he has received e-mails from his school's student management committee to look out for vapes. 'Metal detectors have been used during bag checks, but that only happens if there is a tip-off or when we have a valid reason to be suspicious that the particular student possesses a vape,' said Lim. Mr Gopal Mahey, senior counsellor at the Centre for Psychotherapy, said more parents and their children have reached out for help in dealing with addiction to vaping. He said many clients had initially assumed that vaping was a safer or 'cleaner' alternative to cigarettes. 'With substances like etomidate or even tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and amphetamines being laced into the same devices, the risks have escalated dramatically.' 'I've had clients who shared that they unknowingly inhaled drug-laced pods because a friend had handed it to them at a party,' said Mr Gopal. He said the young people are still navigating through their formative years and may be seeking belonging and approval from others. 'If we don't intervene strongly now, with compassion, clarity and consequence, we risk watching this generation inhale their way into a new form of dependency, and by the time many seek help, it's already taken root. 'The window for prevention is narrow but it's still open,' he said.
Arab Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait drafts 2 laws on humanitarian protection
KUWAIT CITY, July 15: Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait announced Tuesday the completion of two draft laws aimed at reinforcing Kuwait's adherence to international humanitarian law (IHL). The drafts have been submitted to the Fatwa and Legislation Department for review before their presentation to the Council of Ministers. Al-Sumait, who also chairs the Permanent National Committee for International Humanitarian Law, stated that the first draft concerns the protection of the Red Crescent emblem and other humanitarian symbols. It seeks to ensure legal safeguards for these emblems, preventing misuse during armed conflicts and natural disasters in line with the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols. The second draft addresses international crimes, empowering the Kuwaiti judiciary to prosecute serious violations under the principle of complementarity as outlined in Article 17 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move would allow national courts to handle cases typically under the jurisdiction of international tribunals, thereby strengthening Kuwait's legal capacity in this area. Al-Sumait emphasized that both drafts were prepared by a national team of legal experts in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of an ongoing strategic partnership with its regional office. He noted that these legislative efforts align with the priorities of the national committee, which aims to harmonize domestic laws with international humanitarian standards. The minister extended his appreciation to all local and international experts involved in the drafting process, reaffirming Kuwait's commitment to upholding and promoting international humanitarian principles within its legal and institutional frameworks.
