Congress
Just Security’s expert authors offer analysis of U.S. Congress’ role in national security, foreign affairs, the rule of law, and rights. Coverage includes analysis and informational resources related to the legislative process, oversight and investigations of the executive branch, and major debates on the separation of powers and Congress’ constitutional role.
2,468 Articles
Schiff Introduces Updated Proposal for AUMF to Fight the Islamic State
Earlier today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced a new proposal for a limited authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against the Islamic State. Though largely…
Boehner Invites Bibi: A Closer Look at Historical Practice
As many have noted, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming address to Congress is intriguing because of the process by which it was arranged: House Speaker John…
General Dempsey’s Position on an AUMF for ISIL: The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey gave his views of what a congressional authorization for the use of force against ISIL should contain, in an…
National Security Related Congressional Hearings, January 26-30
Below is a calendar of Congressional hearings on national security matters for this week. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 9:30am – Senate Armed Services – Global Challenges and…
What it Really Means to “Close Guantánamo”
[Editors’ Note: This post is the latest installment of our “Monday Reflections” feature, in which a different Just Security editor examines the big stories from the previous…
AUMF Proposals and Congressionally Mandated Reporting Requirements: Some Guideposts
In his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, President Obama called on Congress to authorize force against the Islamic State. This was consistent with the line he has been walking…
Assessing (Again) the Defensive Operations in Syria
The military operations against the Islamic State and Khorasan group in Syria have already received a lot of attention among international lawyers. The conversation has focused…
The Latest Rules on How Long NSA Can Keep Americans’ Encrypted Data Look Too Familiar
Does the National Security Agency (NSA) have the authority to collect and keep all encrypted Internet traffic for as long as is necessary to decrypt that traffic? That was a question…
2 Years and 55 Prisoners To Go: It’s Time for a Lot More Guantanamo Review Boards
In 2001, Tariq Mahmoud Ahmed al Sawah, a veteran of the war in Bosnia who’d joined up with al Qaeda in Afghanistan, landed in U.S. custody. Injured by a cluster bomb in the Afghan…
Charlie Hebdo, The Interview, and Censoring Torture Photos
In France and the United States, there seems to be near-universal agreement that to self-censor because of threats of violence is unwise and cowardly. The slogan “Je Suis Charlie,”…
National Security Related Congressional Hearings, January 20-23
Below is a calendar of Congressional hearings on national security matters for this week. Tuesday, January 20, 2015 2:30pm – Senate Intelligence – Briefing: Intelligence Matters…
White House Cybersecurity Bill: Botnets and “Creative Lawyering”
The White House has released its new legislative proposals on cybersecurity information sharing, federal data breach notification, and amendments to cyber-related law enforcement…