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.

× Clear Filters
2,549 Articles
Bush, Obama, Trump

Trump’s Rationale for Attacking the ICC—Continuity with Bush and Obama’s War on Terrorism

An article by the first Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
UK Parliament at dusk

Time to Update the United Kingdom’s List of Terrorist Organizations

The United Kingdom’s counterterrorism legislation is often the subject of public debate and criticism. What has not received enough attention is a structural flaw in the counterterrorism…
Toy soldiers standing in sand with a $10 USD bill in the background.

The Progressive Defense Budget

According to a June 5 Communications Office of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) memo, the HASC will be marking up the FY2021 defense budget for the rest of this month.…
U.S. Attorney General nominee William Barr testifies at his confirmation hearing as his image is shown on a television monitor behind him January 15, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Specific Questions for Congress (and News Media) to Ask Attorney General Barr

Former Department of Justice, FBI, and Pentagon officials have specific questions to ask Bill Barr. Plus an invitation for readers to send in their questions to add to the list.
Christian faithfuls hold signs reading, "Politicians work for the good of Nigeria," "God is love," and "God hates injustice"as they march on the streets of Abuja during a prayer and penance for peace and security in Nigeria in Abuja on March 1, 2020.

Make Democracy and Governance a Keystone of the US Global Fragility Strategy

The US too often views its work on fragile or failed states as "fixing" various sectors, without enough focus on the political dynamics underneath.
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield (C) speaks about the COVID-19 (coronavirus) alongside Vice President Mike Pence and members of the Coronavirus Task Force in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, March 9, 2020.

Redactions in CDC Communications Policies Leave Key Questions Unanswered

Newly released CDC documents — via FOIA — confirm Office of Vice President’s involvement in CDC COVID-19 communications, leave important details concealed, and raise First…
Trump walks with US Attorney General William Barr (L), US Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper (C), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark A. Milley (R), and others from the White House to St. John's Church where tear gas was used to clear the crowd on June 1, 2020 in Washington DC. Only one person in the background has a face mask. No one is social distanced.

The Untold Power of Bill Barr to Direct US Military Forces in Case of “Civil Unrest”

Whether deployed against protests for racial justice or deployed to interfere with free and fair elections in November, the US military operations would be led by Bill Barr, not…
Trump holds up a chart of military hardware sales as he meets with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office at the White House on March 20, 2018 in Washington, D.C. The chart is titled, “12.5 billion in finalized sales to Saudi Arabia.” MBS is smiling.

Yes, Congress, There Is Something You Can Do About Reckless Arms Sales

Recently proposed sales are particularly problematic given reports of unlawful retransfers and irresponsible, if not illegal, end use by both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.…
Trump’s tweet from May 29th. Twitter marked the tweet with a banner reading, “This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible. Learn more” The tweet itself is not shown in this image.

Ignore Trump’s Twitter Tantrum Executive Order and Address Disinformation Instead

The solution is not to give government or platforms more power to make opaque, arbitrary decisions on content, but to help users protect themselves.
Members of the National Guard join police in holding a line on the fourth day of protests on May 29, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The President and the Domestic Deployment of the Military: Answers to Five Key Questions

Can President Trump use the military without governors' consent? What are the rules for the use of force?
Aerial view of people in white and red to form the Canadian flag.

A Deep Dive into Canada’s Overhaul of Its Foreign Intelligence and Cybersecurity Laws

Following the release of documents by Edward Snowden, many of the Western governments whose agencies’ activities were implicated in the leaks raced to update and modernize their…
A person holds a sign reading, "Stop the Attacks on People's Democratic Rights!" in front of ABS-CBNs main office on May 5, 2020 in Manila, Philippines.

A Bipartisan Push in Congress to Fight the ‘Parallel Pandemic’ of Human Rights Abuses Abroad

Legislation would improve US support to rights defenders, journalists, and marginalized groups fighting authoritarian abuses of emergency powers abroad.
1-12 of 2,549 items

DON'T MISS A THING. Stay up to date with Just Security curated newsletters: