Thinking Out Loud is my public writing space—a place where field experience, international law, and lived reality intersect with reflection and analysis.
My work draws on years of field engagement in conflict-affected regions and ongoing research into international humanitarian law, atrocity prevention, civilian protection, and forced displacement. Much of my writing explores the causes and consequences of mass violence, as well as the application—and at times the failure—of the legal frameworks designed to prevent it.
These pieces draw from that foundation, but they are not confined to it. This space allows for immediacy; a place to respond to events as they unfold and to engage audiences beyond academic and policy settings.
Not every piece here is heavy. Some are reflective. Some respond to unfolding events. All are intentional. Thinking Out Loud reflects both the urgency of the issues I work on and the responsibility of bearing witness to them.
It also recognizes something equally important: those who study conflict and human suffering are still human themselves. Music, sports, culture, and ordinary moments of life are often the things that help us process difficult realities and remain grounded in the work.
Understanding global crises is not only about policy and law. It is also about people, culture, and the human experience that shape how we endure, respond, and rebuild.
Thinking Out Loud is ultimately a space for connection. If something resonates, share it. Start a conversation. That is the point.
With gratitude,
Lara
Connect with Lara Kajs for updates on new writing, research, and speaking engagements.
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Abbey Gate: Witness to the Fall of Kabul
Large-scale evacuations are often remembered through numbers: flights flown, people…
