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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3,152 Articles
Members of the U.S. military sit before several screens in a control center.

What is the Future of American Counterterrorism Strikes in Somalia?

Will Trump increase the pace and number of U.S. strikes and operations in Somalia, and what would be the implications for civilian harm?
President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, in the door of an airplane, wearing a Black hat and Brown suit.

There’s Still Time for the Biden Administration To Act on South Sudan

The U.S. government and its allies should impose network-based sanctions on President Salva Kiir and his corrupt regime.
An AI-generated visualization of the U.S.-China AI competition (via OpenAI's DALL-E)

The AI Presidency: What “America First” Means for Global AI Governance

The coming AI presidency will demand careful preparation—not only to adapt to potential changes in U.S. policy but also to safeguard international collaboration on AI governance.
The two men in the photo are standing next to each other, holding each other's forearms and looking toward the camera, with newly inaugurated President Felix Tshisekedi on the right wearing the inaugural sash of red trimmed in blue.

The First Trump Administration Used Sanctions Effectively in Africa. Here’s How That Can Resume in the Second Term.

The Trump administration can open up other opportunities to advance broader policy, national security, and even economic objectives.
Climate activists stage a protest and hold posters calling for the phase-out of fossil fuels inside the COP29 venue

What to Do If U.N. Climate Negotiations Fail to Phase Out Fossil Fuels?

Next year's COP must begin with steps towards a fossil fuel phaseout — with or without the fossil fuel industry's cooperation.
The photo shows two soldiers in camouflage uniforms and helmets sitting next to each other in the open-top assault vehicle. The one on the left is saluting.

Biden’s Unfinished Business: A Bridge to Shore Up a European Flank – in the Balkans

Temporary US troops could restore stability and thwart Serb political leaders threatening secession amid the EU Force's weakened deterrence.
The photo shows a large crowd filling a street at night, with streetlights along the right side and the white flag with red cross of Georgia alongside the EU's blue flag with yellow stars. It's clearly cold, as people are wearing hats and heavy coats.

Georgia Risks Falling to a Violent One-Party Regime. The Biden Administration Must Act Now to Stop Its Slide.

The US is failing to forcefully respond to brutality against protesters opposing the Georgian ruling party's move to end EU accession talks.
People hold a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Squar

Syrians’ Pursuit of Freedom and Self-Governance: Prioritizing a Locally-Driven and Incremental Approach to Constitutionalism

Syrian policymakers should pursue a locally-driven and incremental approach to constitutionalism for a more cohesive and just future.
Laurent Vinatier is escorted to a courtroom

The Spreading Impact of Restrictive ‘Foreign Agent’ Laws and How to Stop Them

Such measures not only gut civil society as incubators of citizen involvement and connection with government, they spill beyond borders.
Donald Trump sits with Thomas Homan, who is speaking.

The Public Framing of Mass Deportation

The Trump administration will be pressured to rely on deceptive representations of what exactly its deportation programs entail.
The officers are arrayed next to each other against a solid dark backdrop, with the woman on the left and the four men to the viewer's right.

Interpol General Assembly Inches Forward on Transparency, Still Needs Reform Strategy

Amid a trend toward more openness in the police-coordination agency, further action is needed to prevent abuse of systems such as red notices.

Cutting Through the Noise to Trump’s Claimed Immunity in NY Felonies Case

When President-elect Donald Trump’s latest motion to dismiss his felony convictions in New York hit reporters’ in-boxes on Tuesday, it was immediately clear that the dominant…
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