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.
3,161 Articles
Tom Lantos Commission: Enhancing U.S. Ability to Pursue Accountability for Atrocities
I had the honor of testifying last week before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing devoted to “Pursuing Accountability for Atrocities.” My written testimony…
Open Memo 2: The Impeachment Roadmap from 1974 to 2020
"An impeachment holds out the possibility that a Republican Senate acquittal of Trump in a trial superintended by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (the most unpopular Senator in…
Repatriating ISIS Families: An Opportunity to Show that “Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism” Can Work
Working with returning mothers and children may be the best opportunity that any country, or the international community more broadly, will ever have to get preventing/countering…
To Congress: If Russians Seek to Provide Dirt, Make it a Requirement to Report!
The Anti-Collusion Act, introduced Wednesday by Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.), would require everyone running for federal, state, or local office to report offers of assistance…
Balancing the Law and Reporting: Reflections on the Assange Indictment and What It Means for Journalists
The superseding indictment of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has again sent First Amendment guardians to the ramparts, when what’s needed is a calm discussion of what threat…
Unfinished Business: What Mueller Didn’t Cover, But Congress Can
An itemization of what the Mueller Report left untouched or undone, and where Congress can pick up the thread.
Norms Watch: Damage to Democracy and Rule of Law in May 2019
Welcome to the latest installment of Norms Watch, our series tracking both the flouting of democratic norms by the Trump administration and the erosion of those norms in reactions…
The Snowden Effect, Six Years On
Six years ago, the world was introduced to a previously unknown government contractor who revealed the National Security Agency (NSA) was conducting an unparalleled level of warrantless…
A Side-by-Side Comparison of Barr’s vs. Mueller’s Statements about Special Counsel Report
"Some of the differences involve near complete contradictions—in other words Mueller’s statement and Barr’s statements cannot both be true."
Time to Bring Women and Children Home from Iraq and Syria
Kazakhstan proves that bringing home the women and children stranded in Iraq and Syria is possible for all countries facing the problem.
The Missing Bill Barr Obstruction Analysis
"The American public and Congress should demand that the Attorney General disclose his analysis."
Mueller’s Message: The Obstruction That Nearly Halted Criminal Case Against Russians
"Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s statement on Wednesday may reset the conversation about his investigation’s findings, and how Congress and the American public move forward…