Bill Overview
Title: A bill to require the President to submit to Congress a report on United States Government efforts to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence and information related to war crimes and other atrocities committed during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2022, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill requires the President to report to Congress on atrocities committed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Specifically, the report must describe in detail (1) U.S. government efforts to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence related to war crimes and other atrocities committed during the invasion; (2) media, public diplomacy, and information operations to make the Russian people, including their military and political leaders, aware of efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible for such atrocities; and (3) the process for a domestic, foreign, or international court or tribunal to obtain information from the U.S. government related to such atrocities.
Sponsors: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals directly and indirectly involved in or impacted by the efforts to address war crimes during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Estimated Size: 10000
- The bill focuses on collecting, analyzing, and preserving evidence of war crimes committed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which directly involves individuals engaged in this effort such as U.S. diplomats, intelligence personnel, and legal experts.
- Ukrainian nationals, especially those involved in the legal processes concerning war crimes or as victims and witnesses, will be directly impacted by the outcome of this bill.
- The bill aims to inform the Russian people, including military and political figures, through media and public diplomacy, impacting them by increasing awareness and potential accountability for war crimes.
- Efforts to identify and prosecute war criminals involve international legal communities and bodies, affecting those working in or associated with these entities.
- The general population within Russia might be indirectly affected as the bill looks to use information operations to spread awareness about these efforts among the Russian public.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets individuals involved in diplomatic, intelligence, and legal operations regarding war crimes, along with Ukrainian nationals and the Russian populace, but the immediate effect on the U.S. general public is minimal.
- Given the budget constraints and target population size, the report's efforts likely focus on collecting and analyzing data, informing political and military leaders, and setting the groundwork for legal processes rather than widespread, direct engagement.
- The policy impacts are more indirect for American citizens, particularly beneficial for those with Ukrainian descent or connections. They may experience a sense of justice and support, albeit indirectly.
- The psychological impact on Americans connected to foreign or military activities could be one of emotional relief or concern depending on outcomes of publicity and legal findings of the report.
- As the policy involves extensive media and public diplomacy operations, Russian nationals, including those in the U.S., may face heightened awareness or tension due to their government's scrutiny related to war crimes.
Simulated Interviews
Diplomat (Washington D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is vital for ensuring accountability for war crimes, which aligns with our duty to uphold international law.
- It raises awareness globally and potentially pressures the Russian government to reconsider their actions.
- But the workload is immense, and the budget constraints make thorough evidence collection challenging.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
International Law Specialist (New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It is essential to have a systematic approach towards gathering evidence on atrocities.
- The collaboration outlined will aid legal processes.
- International pressure through media can potentially prevent further atrocities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Human Rights Activist (Chicago)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There's a personal connection to this conflict, so I'm grateful steps are being taken for accountability.
- Getting evidence is crucial, but how much will it change on the ground?
- I worry about the effectiveness given the limited budget.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Media Analyst (Los Angeles)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The way media is used in this policy is crucial for spreading awareness.
- The budget might limit how impactful the media operations will be globally.
- Overall, it’s a step forward for transparency in conflicts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
International Relations Professor (New York)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Academic interest in how policies like this are developed and executed.
- It's good this is not just talk and there is actually reporting and evidence aggregation being done.
- However, educating the Russian populace is a massive task given potential media suppression.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Civil Rights Lawyer (Chicago)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a lawyer, I support any project that builds up evidence for war crime tribunals.
- This policy empowers legal frameworks with factual reporting.
- The financial limitations might restrict full legal support and follow-through.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Ukrainian-American Businessman (Houston)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation gives me hope that justice may prevail for my family.
- Awareness of war crimes might deter future inhumane acts.
- The time it will require for accountability is concerning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Journalist (Boston)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- War crime documentation is a challenging but essential story.
- Reports of atrocities should be relayed fairly and demand context and evidence.
- Concerns about the reach and impact of this media effort, given budget constraints.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Intelligence Analyst (San Francisco)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Considering my work, this policy allows more structured intelligence work on crimes.
- It could lead to actionable insights and support international law efforts.
- The work is demanding, and limited resources make thorough analysis difficult.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
College Student (Seattle)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As an observer, this policy sets an example of efforts toward global justice.
- The integration of diplomatic and legal processes is educational for my studies.
- Explaining and spreading awareness about war crimes in Russia poses significant challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- The U.S. involvement in collecting evidence of war crimes may lead to geopolitical implications, particularly in U.S.-Russia relations.
- The capacity of existing U.S. departments, like the State Department and intelligence agencies, may be stretched by the additional requirements of the bill.
- Ensuring data security and handling sensitive information properly is critical to maintaining international trust and protecting sources.