A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has paused active hostilities—but major questions remain about what comes next. This week, we feature a recent live panel discussion, “Assessing the War with Iran: Military Policy and Legal Perspectives,” co-hosted by the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security and Syracuse University’s Institute for Security Policy and Law. Moderated by Judge James Baker and featuring retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett and Elisa Ewers, the panel examines the strategic, legal, and economic dimensions of the conflict. Recorded just prior to the ceasefire, the conversation explores U.S. military objectives, the legal authorities underpinning action, potential exit strategies, and the broader global implications of escalation in the region.

Introductions by Stephen Preston, Chair of the ABAs Standing Committee on Law and National Security and Partner at WilmerHale

Moderated by Judge James Baker, Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law and a Professor of Law at Syracuse University

Robert Murrett is Deputy Director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University

Elisa Ewers is a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at RAND and the Center for a New American Security

References:

ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security Webpage

As the conflict with Iran evolves, cyber capabilities are proving just as consequential as traditional military force. This week, Elisa sits down with Matt Suiche, founder of OnDB and a former hacker, to examine how cyber operations shape intelligence gathering, targeting, and real-time decision-making in modern conflict. Together, they explore the vulnerabilities of AI systems, the physical risks to critical infrastructure like data centers and undersea cables, and what these emerging threats reveal about the limits of technology in high-stakes warfare.

Matt Suiche is a cybersecurity researcher and founder of OnDB Inc., a data infrastructure startup for the agentic economy.

References:

• NSLT Episode: Elemental Power: Mining, Markets, and the Critical Minerals Challenge with Tommy Beaudreau (Part 1). Feb 18 2025
• NSLT Episode: Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat: The Laws of the Sea with Matt Dianni (Part 1). Jan. 13 2022
• NSLT Episode: Profiting from Polarization: The Economics of America’s Culture War. Nov. 26 2025
• The New York Times. "Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial." 25 Mar. 2026

As tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global markets, they reflect a broader set of unconventional strategies Iran has deployed for decades. This week, Elisa sits down with Alamdar Hamdani, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas and current partner at Bracewell, to examine how Iran leverages asymmetric tactics—from cyber operations and proxy forces to sanctions evasion and maritime disruption. Together, they explore how these strategies intersect with U.S. national security law, energy markets, and the evolving role of lawyers navigating global instability.

Alamdar Hamdani is a partner at Bracewell LLP and previously served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas

References:

• The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
• The Material Support Statute
• The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Overview
• The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Overview
• "Justice Department Files Action to Protect National Security by Enforcing President’s Order of Chinese Company’s Divestment from U.S. Company." Office of Public Affairs, 10 Feb. 2026
• NSLT Episode, "Held as Leverage: Iran, Hostage Diplomacy, and the Fight for Release with Kieran Ramsey" March 18 2026.
• NSLT Episode, "From Pipelines to Prisoners: Security in the Energy Sector with Kieran Ramsey (Part 1)" June 4 2025
• NSLT Episode, "The Lawless Secrecy of International Shipping with Matthew Campbell (Part 1)" June 23 2022
• Campbell, Matthew, and Kit Chellel. Dead in the Water: A True Story of Hijacking, Murder, and a Global Maritime Conspiracy. Penguin Random House, 2022