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.

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3,152 Articles
John Durham and William Barr

Bill Barr’s Hidden Truths About Justice Department’s Rule of Forbearance in an Election

Revelations of what Barr said in a deposition under oath in 1995 and in a private Oval Office meeting with President Bush.

Does Cy Vance Already Have the Trump Organization Tax Returns?

The Manhattan DA may already have obtained the pertinent New York state tax returns for the Trump Organization and its executives, including Trump and his family. If this is the…
A protester watches federal officers through the gate in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility early in the morning on August 21, 2020 in Portland, Oregon.

Bringing Abolition to National Security

"Though far less explored, abolition may also be the most promising option for dealing with discriminatory national security laws and policies. Without understanding the historical,…
Graffiti showing a US drone is depicted on a wall to protest against US drone strikes on September 19, 2018 in Sana'a, Yemen.

State Dept. Inspector General Report: A Troubling Message on Arms Sales

"A stunning revelation given the repeated, severe cases of civilian casualties resulting from Saudi-led Coalition operations over the past several years."
An aerial view San Quentin State Prison on July 08, 2020 in San Quentin, California.

Hardwired Against Change: Race, Incarceration, and COVID-19

"Given the unique risks of exposure, infection, and death in prisons, jails and detention centers, challenging carceral secrecy is even more important than ever in the midst of…
Trump shakes hands with Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley after addressing the troops at Bagram Air Field during a surprise Thanksgiving day visit, on November 28, 2019 in Afghanistan.

Breaking Ranks in a Civil-Military Crisis: Strategic Communication to Register Dissent

Military leaders have principled options to address a legally questionable political decision while maintaining the rule of law and civilian control.
Manafort, Johnson, and Giuliani

Manafort’s Reward: Sen. Ron Johnson and the Ukraine Conspiracy Investigation: Part II

How Senator Johnson’s efforts have worked in tandem with Paul Manafort’s efforts — as the former Trump campaign chair has likely remained silent in exchange for a pardon.
The headquarters of the United States Postal Service (USPS) is seen in Washington, DC, August 18, 2020.

Timeline: The Trump Administration and the U.S. Postal Service

A timeline of the pivotal events shaping the U.S. Postal Service that brought us to today's crisis.
Members of the military junta arrive with their escorts at the Malian Ministry of Defence in Bamako on August 19, 2020.

Does Mali’s Coup Advance Democracy?

What are the implications of accepting or inviting military intervention in domestic politics in Mali and beyond?
The words "My Government Did This" are displayed on a barrier on the Charles Helou highway in front of the ruined port of Beirut.

The Cost of Resilience: The Roots and Impacts of the Beirut Blast

The Aug. 4 explosion at the Beirut port is not the cause of catastrophe in Lebanon, it is the result. To understand its causes and impacts, we must look to what came before, including…
Protestors gather to rally against the disputed presidential election in Belarus at Independence Square in Minsk on August 18, 2020.

How the US and the EU Can Support Belarus Amid Its Historic Protests

The US should work with the EU to isolate Lukashenko and his lieutenants with targeted sanctions, and facilitate a peaceful transition with new elections.
US Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary, Chad Wolf, testifies before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on August 6, 2020 in Washington, DC, to answer questions about the use of federal agents during protests in Portland, Oregon.

“Head-On Into Peril”: Connecting 9/11 and Law Enforcement Abuses in Portland

"It was no accident that people of color (primarily Black and Latino Americans, and Muslims around the world) were the primary targets of both military and police agencies post-9/11…
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