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.
3,333 Articles
The “Quid” is a Crime: No Need to Prove “Pro Quo” in Ukrainegate
Top election law expert, Paul S. Ryan of nonpartisan group Common Cause, explains the felonies that apply to allegations in Ukrainegate.
Intel Whistleblower Complaint Q&A Part 2: Constitutional Boogaloo
Developments in the Intelligence Community whistleblower story raise new legal questions.
President Trump, We Can Handle the Truth
Last night, the president’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani had his own Col. Nathan Jessup moment on primetime TV. Fired-up and angry enough, like Jack Nicholson’s character in the movie…
National Security at the United Nations This Week
Editor’s Note: This is the latest in Just Security’s weekly series keeping readers up to date on developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security,…
Stop Blaming Immigrants for Right-Wing Extremism
While the connection between immigration and Islamist terrorism has been challenged, the assertion that immigrants are also to blame for right-wing extremism is just as dishonest…
Handling of Whistleblower Complaint Makes It Impossible for IG To Do His Job
It’s nearly impossible for whistleblowers to trust an inspector general when their agency-head acts as acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire has, publicly rebuking…
Q&A on Whistleblower Complaint Being Withheld from Congressional Intelligence Committees
On September 13, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff publicly announced that he had issued a subpoena to Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Joseph Maguire…
What’s the New Terror Financing Executive Order All About?
Last week, the Trump administration updated E.O. 13224 to expand both State and Treasury’s ability to wield sanctions against terrorists. What are the practical implications…
Constitution Day 2019: The Hidden Domestic Surveillance Crisis
As we mark the 232nd anniversary of the signing of America’s governing charter, we have ample evidence that it continues to be violated by the federal officials charged with…
Norms Watch: Damage to Democracy and Rule of Law in August 2019
Editor’s Note: 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…
18 Years After 9/11, We Face a New International Terrorist Threat
"We as a society should be talking about a new form of international terrorism—white supremacist terrorism—rather than insisting on calling it 'domestic terrorism.'"
Trump and Giuliani’s Quest for Fake Ukraine “Dirt” on Biden: An Explainer
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence last week gave an odd response to a question about whether the United States is withholding $250 million of aid for Ukraine until that country helps…