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.
3,183 Articles
Ten Days that Show Why Trump’s Wrong on Terrorism
Three events in the past 10 days have shown that, for all of his talk about getting tough on terrorists, President Donald Trump lacks any real understanding of how to protect America…
Advancing Rights and Justice During a Pandemic: An Online Event Series
Watch leading scholars and practitioners from around the world discuss the human rights and social justice implications. And then join in.
The President’s Inversion of the Government’s Ethical Conduct Standards, Right Before Americans’ Eyes
The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (Standards of Conduct) on this topic could not be clearer, and the president's statements contradicting those…
The US Goes to Bat for Lebanon’s “Butcher of Khiam”
American intervention in Lebanon's trial of Amer Fakhoury undermines the rule of law and disregards obligations under the Convention against Torture.
A Conversation With U.N. Special Rapporteur David Kaye: COVID-19 and Freedom of Expression
Ryan Goodman, Just Security's co-editor-in-chief, recently posed a series of questions to David Kaye, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression.
Nine Questions for the White House Physician on the President’s Use of Hydroxychloroquine
President Donald Trump’s announcement on May 18 that he had secretly begun taking the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine 10 days before coincides with the revelation that two…
An Inquiry into DOJ’s Decision to Drop the Flynn Case Can’t Be Left to Judge Sullivan Alone
More than just wrong, interim U.S. Attorney Timothy Shea's filing of the motion also may have violated legal and DOJ ethics rules.
Recently Released OLC Opinions From 1974 Shed Light on Current Legal Debates
Earlier this month, my colleagues and I at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University secured the release of 96 previously withheld opinions authored by the Justice…
Nixon Went to China. Trump Should Go to Wuhan.
This week the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) convenes in virtual format, under the shadow of a dangerous pandemic, and with…
Why the Flynn Dismissal Deserves a Hard Look by the Court
The judge presiding over the Michael Flynn case is right to take a hard look at the Department of Justice’s eleventh-hour motion to dismiss the false statements charge to which…
Anticipating Phase Two of the Trumped Up “Obamagate”
Grappling with the potential criminal liability of leakers of the Flynn phone call, and how Trump and Barr will exploit it in their ongoing campaign of public deception.
The Fatal Flaw in DOD’s Latest Civilian Casualties Report
Lawmakers and even the Trump administration have increasingly expressed concern about the United States waging an “endless war,” and among those concerns is the impact on civilians…