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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3,182 Articles
Fiona Hill, former Special Assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump and Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs on the United States National Security Council, arrives on Capitol Hill on October 14, 2019 in Washington, DC.

White House Counsel Sends Fiona Hill Letter on “Executive Privilege” on Eve of Public Hearing

On Thursday, Deputy White House Counsel Michael M. Purpura sent a letter to Fiona Hill’s attorney setting out the administration’s views of executive privilege. The letter…
Ranking member Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) questions National Security Council Director for European Affairs Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams, adviser to Vice President Mike Pence for European and Russian affairs during testimony before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 19, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Trump and GOP Call to ID Whistleblower Exposes Glaring Gaps in Protections

There are punishments for disclosing a whistleblower's identity in such a case. But the entire system is a patchwork of laws that needs to be rethought.
U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland arrives at a closed session before the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees October 17, 2019 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

Will Gordon Sondland Finally Come Clean When He Testifies?

All eyes will be on the U.S. ambassador to the European Union when he testifies in front of the House impeachment inquiry tomorrow.
Facebook logos and images on multiple screens.

Evaluating Facebook’s New Oversight Board for Content Moderation

Facebook recently released more details about its Oversight Board, publishing a governing charter in September that describes how the board will review the company’s decisions…
Former Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker is surrounded by officers and staff as he departs a closed-door deposition led by the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill on October 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. Volker resigned from his position on September 27.

Chart: Side-by-Side Comparison of Kurt Volker’s vs Other Witnesses’ Testimony in Impeachment Inquiry

It appears that Ambassador Volker lied to Congress in violation of federal law for denying knowledge or involvement in President Trump and Giuliani’s efforts to press Ukraine…
Antique Vintage Map of Europe

Trump Repudiates a Century of U.S. Policy

The United States has consistently held that it was in our national security interest to ensure that only peaceful means were used to alter political boundaries in Europe. The…
A crowded prison cell is filled with men suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh on October 26, 2019. They sit and lay side by side on thin cots on the floor.

Nearly 20 Years Later: It’s Time to Reset Our Approach to Countering Terrorism

With the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi another terrorist leader has been taken off the battlefield, but while a notable military and intelligence success, the threat posed by the…
Amb. William Taylor and Deputy Assistant Secretary Of State George Kent testify at Impeachment Hearing

Highlights of Taylor-Kent Hearing and Connections to Other Witnesses

Key takeaways from the first day of public hearings in the House impeachment inquiry, with crucial insights from top experts on Ukraine, congressional oversight, and rule of law.
A collage of witnesses called to testify during the Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry.

A Who’s Who of Ukraine Witnesses

A guide to all of the witnesses who have either testified or have been requested to testify in the impeachment inquiry.
Paul Ney Gives a Talk at Vanderbilt Law School on September 3, 2019.

Top DoD Lawyer Stresses U.S. Compliance with the Rule of Law in Military Operations

On September 3, 2019, Paul Ney, the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), delivered the Charney Distinguished Lecture in International Law at Vanderbilt Law…
Turkish-born German writer Dogan Akhanli holds a press conference at the lower house of the Spanish Parliament, Las Cortes, in Madrid, on August 30, 2017.

Interpol Proves Critics Right in Choosing Turkey to Host General Assembly

Allowing Turkey to host the general assembly could be used by Interpol as an opportunity to rein in despotic regimes abusing the Red Notice system for political gain. Unfortunately,…
Side by side photographs of Declan Walsh, Iyad El-Baghdadi, Jamal Khashoggi, and Omar Abdulaziz.

Duty to Warn: Has the Trump Administration Learned from the Khashoggi Failure?

This attitude shift alone, if it has indeed taken place, is commendable, but should not reduce scrutiny of what happened in the Declan Walsh case.
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