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.
3,156 Articles

The Global Fragility Act Takes Another Step Toward Conflict Prevention, But Bigger Strides Remain
Conflict prevention routinely takes a back seat to immediate crises, and will require resources and attention to legal and bureaucratic gaps.

The Just Security Podcast: Is Evan Gershkovich’s Arrest the End of Free Press in Russia?
Evan’s arrest is Russia’s latest attempt to intimidate foreign correspondents reporting in the country. The threats are common tactics.

In Trump Case, Procedures Exist to Safeguard the Former President’s Right to an Impartial Jury
"[E]nsuring that Trump receives a fair trial while maintaining his Sixth Amendment rights is a necessary step on the path toward accountability."

Saudi Arabia and Iran: The Politics of Détente
Senior diplomats from Saudi Arabia and Iran are meeting in Beijing tomorrow to discuss the next steps in restoring diplomatic relations following the Chinese-brokered agreement…

Transnational Repression Increasingly Reaches Into the United States
In countering transnational repression, "[c]ivil litigation provides a pathway for holding ... authoritarian regimes directly accountable, not just their hired guns, if significant…

Albanian Museum to Celebrate Jewish Life and “Righteous” Who Gave Shelter During Holocaust
The Muslim-majority country is known as the only Nazi-occupied territory during World War II where the Jewish population increased.

How Lawmakers Hope to Sidestep Existing National Security Reviews to Target Foreign Investment
Though regulatory efforts have worked to monitor the app’s potential national security threats so far, politicians growing impatient.

The Broad Scope of “Intent to Defraud” in the New York Crime of Falsifying Business Records
"While there are other legal hurdles for the Manhattan DA to cross in the indictment of the former president, this element of the relevant offenses poses no obstacle..."

The Just Security Podcast: An Indictment of Donald Trump
The alleged indictment raises important questions about efforts to interfere with the 2016 presidential election and the rule of law.

The Just Security Podcast: The Mayor of Les Irois
Determined victims and creative lawyers used a U.S, law, the Torture Victims Protection Act, to hold a powerful mayor accountable.

Survey of Past Criminal Prosecutions for Covert Payments to Benefit a Political Campaign
Surreptitious third-party payments are routinely prosecuted as campaign finance violations in New York and nationally under various statutes.

Congress Should Limit, Not Expand, Irregular Warfare Authority
Section 1202 of the NDAA is an overbroad authority that risks widening the aperture for U.S. forces to engage in and direct combat in unauthorized, foreign wars.