Democracy & Rule of Law
Just Security’s expert authors provide analysis on threats and challenges to democracy and the rule of law in the United States and globally. Coverage includes analysis of the separation of powers, good governance, democratic backsliding, authoritarianism, judicial independence, freedom of the press and association, and accountability for rule of law violations.
Highlights:
What Just Happened: The Trump Administration’s Dismissal of Voting Rights Lawsuits
Retreat from voting rights enforcement and efforts to tighten access to the ballot mark a rupture with the Civil Rights Division’s traditional role.
A Terrible Idea
On the reconciliation bill’s provision that would restrict federal courts’ authority to hold government officials in contempt for violating court orders
From Air Force One to Economic Entanglement: The Real Stakes of Trump’s Middle East Diplomacy
As Trump reinforces his foreign policy priorities, expanding the use of “sticky power” will be essential to sustaining U.S. influence and outcompeting rivals across the globe.
The Just Security Podcast: What’s Next for U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Assistance?
Expert panel considers the proposed restructuring of the State Department and unpacks the implications for U.S. foreign policy, what's at stake, and what lies ahead.
Curating Cyberspace: Rights, Responsibilities, and Opportunities
To challenge authoritarianism, platforms should embrace a role that balances expressive rights and responsibilities in a pro-democratic way.
Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
A public resource tracking all the legal challenges to the Trump administration's executive orders and actions.
3,082 Articles
When the Free Press Falters: What America Can Learn from Russia’s Descent
The unraveling of press freedom in the United States mirrors Putin's capture of the Russian media, write two experts who know both terrains.
How Trump’s Law Firm Settlements Circumvent Congress and Violate Federal Spending Laws
The Trump administration has operated outside the appropriations process and congressional oversight through its law firm settlements.
Another Abrego Garcia, and the Administration’s “Contrivance” to Keep Him in El Salvador’s Prison
Fourth Circuit rejects the government's attempt to keep a detainee very similar to Abrego Garcia in CECOT prison.
Just Security’s Russia–Ukraine War Archive
A catalog of over 100 articles (many with Ukrainian translations) on the Russia Ukraine War -- law, diplomacy, policy options, and more.
Just Security’s Climate Archive
A catalog of articles analyzing the diplomatic, political, legal, security, and humanitarian consequences of the international climate crisis.
Making Russia Pay: Obtaining Compensation for Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine in American Courts
US courts may offer avenues for holding Russia accountable for injuries caused by its unlawful invasion of Ukraine, subject to certain limitations.
Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of Trump Administration Executive Actions
Coverage of key developments, including in concise “What Just Happened” expert explainers, legal and policy analysis, and more. Check back frequently for updates.
When the Executive Defies the Judiciary: How Federal Courts Can Enforce Their Orders Without the Marshals
Federal courts possess a number of tools to ensure the U.S. government is held responsible for failing to enforce or execute court orders.
Is the U.S. Abandoning the Fight Against Foreign Information Operations?
The Trump administration's policy shift paves the way for foreign propaganda to flourish, leaving Europe to step into the breach.
The Just Security Podcast: Discussion of Stephen Miller Remarks on Suspension of Habeas Corpus & Path Ahead
An assessment of Stephen Miller's recent remarks on the suspension of habeas corpus and the path ahead for courts and members of Congress.
Bosnia’s Secession Crisis Can Be an Opportunity for Progress
The ouster of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, with constitutional reform, would finally put Bosnia on a path to stability and the EU.
Don’t Succumb to Climate Fatalism
Climate policy is taking a hit, but succumbing to this backsliding is not the answer. Instead, there are real security, economic, and political benefits to hitting back.