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.
2,452 Articles
New National Security Appointees
The 113th Congress has concluded its work and in some of its last actions, the Senate confirmed the White House’s nominees to a number of administration posts relevant to…
Guest Post: Drone Courts–A Response to Professor Vladeck
Editors’ note: In this post, Professors Brand, Guiora, and Barela reply to Steve Vladeck’s December 2 post, “Drone Courts: The Wrong Solution to the Wrong Problem,”…
The Washington Post Editorial Board’s (mis)conception of Congress’s role in war authorizations
In Monday’s Washington Post, the editorial board called for the next Congress to prioritize passage of an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL, but also…
The Unintended Consequences of the 2001 AUMF Sunset
I join Ryan Goodman in applauding the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under the strong leadership of its Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and many others…
Why Do We Talk About Torture The Way We Do?
Editors’ Note: The following post is the latest installment of our “Monday Reflections” feature, in which a different Just Security editor examines the big stories from…
Recap of Recent Posts at Just Security (Dec 6-12)
I. Torture A. Senate Intelligence Committee Torture Report Just Security, Senate Report on Interrogation Program – Executive Summary and Opposing Views (Tuesday, Dec. 9) Steve…
The Torture Report is Only the First Step
Ed Note. This piece also appears in Foreign Policy. Great nations admit and learn from their mistakes. The United States took a major step forward this week with the long-delayed…
The Cost-Benefit Analysis: The Preventive Value of the Senate Torture Report
Amidst the full-throated defense of the CIA’s interrogation tactics (see, e.g., Cheney – “I’d do it again”), the President’s refusal to state whether or not abusive…
CIA Director Brennan’s Comment on the Torture Report, and Senator Feinstein’s Reply to Brennan
CIA Director John Brennan spoke today about the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on the interrogation program run by the CIA after September 11th. His remarks are available…
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves ISIL AUMF and Sunset of 2001 AUMF
On Thursday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a draft authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL (full text) by a margin of 10-8 along party…
Five Torturous Steps to Hell
In a short and early section of the SSCI’s redacted summary of its torture report, we can read about the step-by-step descent from humanity to inhumanity, from the 20th century…
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Markup of Draft AUMF against ISIL
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee markup of the draft Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIL is happening now. Watch here.