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.
3,181 Articles
The U.S. Must Forcefully Oppose Blanket Amnesty for Civil War Atrocities in Guatemala
“All the people have disappeared.” So reads a declassified cable from the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, dated Dec. 28, 1982. The subject was an incident that occurred just…
Top 4 Things to Look for in Mueller’s Report in Light of Barr’s Letter
Barr's letter leaves the most important questions at the heart of Mueller's counterintelligence investigation unanswered.
How not to think–and what the Mueller Report won’t tell us–about Trump’s efforts to obstruct the investigation
Back in December, I wrote a post about Bill Barr’s June 2018 memo to DOJ officials. In it, I was sharply critical of Barr’s understanding of the President’s…
Now Mueller’s Probe is Over, Should and Will His Findings Be Made Public? Law and Past Practice
The first waiting game is over. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has completed his role as Special Counsel and delivered his findings to Attorney General William Barr.
Now, the…
Trump and the Demise of the Presidential Records Honor System
News broke yesterday that Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior policy advisor, has been using the private messaging application WhatsApp for official…
Less Transparency Won’t Fix a Lack of Transparency: A Response to Gen. Dunlap on Civilian Casualty Reporting Requirements
"Dunlap’s perspective is a valuable one, and a robust debate on the parameters of transparency around U.S. counterterrorism operations is warranted. But mischaracterizing the…
Taking No Chances, Thailand’s Junta Locks Down the Internet ahead of Elections
Thailand's political parties’ use of social media is restricted even though the electoral framework all but guarantees defeat for the opposition.
Sizing Up Facebook’s New Disclosures About the Christchurch Shooting
Facebook's disclosure of new information about how it handled video of Christchurch shooting prompts four lines of analysis.
Why it’s a mistake to be a-waitin’ “the” Mueller Report (and why you should instead focus on two other reports)
OLC’s governing view of the constitutionality of a grand jury indictment of a sitting president therefore doesn't stand in the way of DOJ providing a comprehensive account to…
Body Counts Are Terrible Way for the Public to Assess US Counter-Terrorism Operations
Retired General Charlie Dunlap writes that partial transparency on civilian casualty reports may be worse than none.
New Zealand Attacks: A Wake-Up Call to Counter Far-Right Extremist Violence
With the attacks over the last year—including those in Charleston, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and now New Zealand, among many others—it’s time to collectively and unequivocally…
DRC’s Presidential Transition: `Peaceful’ Maybe, but Signs of Backsliding
Last week, the new president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, entered into a coalition government with the party of his predecessor, Joseph Kabila.…