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.
3,152 Articles

Don’t Sanction the ICC for Doing its Job
Writes an American-Israeli citizen whose family was decimated in the Holocaust: "It is my family history and three decades spent advocating for human rights and the rule of…

The ICC Prosecutor’s Policy on Complementarity and Cooperation: A Dynamic Tool for Accountability
The OTP’s Policy on Complementarity and Cooperation builds on the idea of a dynamic process of partnership with national authorities, civil society, and other accountability…

Presidential Immunity Decision May Have Implications for Congressional-Executive Divide on Criminal Contempt
With Trump v. United States, a majority of the Supreme Court appears ready to resolve a longstanding dispute over prosecutorial discretion in contempt of Congress cases in favor…

Magnitsky Sanctions and Political Prisoners: Lessons from the Case of Vladimir Kara-Murza
The US and allies can build on the coordinated Magnitsky-like sanctions in his case to continue turning up the heat on repressive regimes.

Warrantless “Defensive” Searches of FISA Section 702 Data Violate the Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment requires that queries of the FISA Section 702 database for information about U.S. persons be performed pursuant to a court order, regardless of whether the…

The Just Security Podcast: How can the U.S. Address Political Violence and Threats?
Rachel Kleinfeld reflects on the threats of political violence in the United States and offers solutions ahead of the 2024 election.

US Is Finally Aiding Stranded Afghan Allies, But Congress Needs to Step Up
Crucial bipartisan legislation has been stalled for years, placing the burden of care on hardworking Americans instead.

The Double Black Box: AI Inside the National Security Ecosystem
The use of AI to advance U.S. national security will complicate the application of constitutional checks and balances.

Three Years on From Taliban’s Takeover, What’s Next Amid Afghanistan’s Impasse?
Unfocused efforts to break the logjam over human rights and diplomatic recognition raise questions about how to move forward.

After Immunity: The Path Forward for the January 6th Case
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction II. The Supreme Court’s Immunity Framework III. Applying the Court’s Immunity Decision to the Indictment 1. Undisputed Unofficial Conduct…

Pay Attention to Belarus
Internal repression -- more than 1,400 political prisoners -- extends outward, too, as dictator Alexander Lukashenka's threatens US and EU security with hybrid ops and nuclear…

AI’s Potential to Advance Human Rights? Striking the Right Balance
The risks of AI are well-known, but devoting more effort to understanding its benefits towards human rights will help harness its potential.