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

Disobeying Trump: “Context and Consequences” of Russian Ops
President Donald Trump still struggles to be perceived as overseeing a stable and competent government after 20 months in office, and his supporters have suggested that the problems…

New U.K. Law Fails European Court Standards on Mass Interception Disclosed by Snowden
The U.K. government trots out its new surveillance legislation as curing the ills identified by the European Court of Human Rights. That's not the case. The Court’s judgment…

Who Might Replace Rod Rosenstein and What Would it Mean for the Mueller and SDNY Investigations?: A Deep Dive
Who would replace Rosenstein as deputy attorney general in the event Trump fires him or he resigns under pressure? And who would supervise the Russia and related investigations?…

So, You Want to Do Something About Russian Election Interference?
If this White House were actually serious about tackling foreign interference in our elections, what would it do?

Explainer: Rosenstein’s Potential Departure and What Comes Next for Russia and Hush Money Investigation
Who will supervise the Russia and Hush Money investigations after Rod Rosenstein?

Why Support for U.N.-backed Anti-Corruption Commission in Guatemala is Vital to U.S. Interests
The ongoing constitutional crisis in Guatemala underscores concerns that corruption continues to permeate high levels of the government.

We Have Nothing to Fear But FEAR Itself
What Woodward's book says, in particular, about Russia investigation is riddled with problems.

Putin Had a Win-Win Strategy for Life Post-2016; Trump, Not So Much
Putin didn't just count on Clinton losing. He also counted on her winning. Three former U.S. Intelligence Community officials analyze Putin's likely strategic thinking in 2016…

From Sweeping Punishment to Real Justice in Countering Terrorism
A study led by the United Nations University that examined punitive efforts in Iraq, Nigeria, and Somalia shows that too often, nonviolent associates of terror groups who may have…

Post-9/11 Generation Reaches Enlistment Age in Unmoored ‘War on Terror’
Human Rights First International Legal Counsel Rita Siemion says it's long past time to ensure that war-based authorities are used only when specifically authorized by Congress…

Sessions’ Recusal and Rosenstein’s Appointment of a Special Counsel—Both Were Legally Required
President Donald Trump made 5,001 false or misleading claims, as of Sept. 12, 2018, according to a running tally kept by the Washington Post. This included an astonishing 79 such…

Trump’s Ability to Classify Mueller Report Is Greater Threat Than Executive Privilege
The prospect of the President invoking Executive Privilege to keep the Special Counsel's report secret has received plenty of attention. Less well-known is this: there are no restrictions…