Democracy & Rule of Law
Rule of Law
1,044 Articles

The Public Should Have Access to the Surveillance Court’s Opinions
For decades, a special court—the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, or “FISC”—has issued secret legal opinions authorizing the U.S. government to conduct sweeping…

Combating Transnational Authoritarian Kleptocracy: Cracking Down on Western Professional Enablers
Effectively battling corruption and human rights abuses requires the tools provided by the Global Magnitsky Act - including the ability to target those who aid money laundering.…

Fighting the ‘International Thief Thief’ with Global Magnitsky Sanctions
What can Global Magnitsky Act sanctions accomplish in the battle against corruption and human rights abuse? According to anti-corruption NGO The Sentry, a lot. Successful case…

Don’t Place Judicial Accountability In The Dark
Efforts to ensure the safety and security of federal judges – including by shielding certain personal information, such as addresses, from public disclosure – are sadly necessary…

Reauthorizing and Strengthening the Global Magnitsky Act
The Global Magnitsky Act is a key tool in the fight against corruption and human rights abuses -- yet it remains incomplete. Beth Van Schaack explains how it can be strengthened.

Team of Legal Gladiators? Iraqi Militias’ Tortured Relationship with Law
The country's Iran-backed militias are not law-abiding, but they know Iraqis care about rule of law and have adopted the law as a battlespace.

In Absence of Foreign Agents Registration Reform, DOJ Tweaks Could Make a Big Difference
Its core obligations have not been comprehensively updated since the 1960s. Until they are, the executive branch could address key shortcomings.

To Combat Central America’s Bad Governance, Biden Can’t Just Throw Money at the Problem
The $4 billion in US aid will have to be carefully managed, and could be leveraged to combat the corruption and impunity that drives so many to migrate.

How Attorney General Garland Can Strengthen FOIA Implementation
Here's what Attorney General Garland's department-wide memorandum on the Freedom of Information of Act should look like.

Corruption Is a National Security Threat. The CROOK Act Is a Smart Way to Fight It.
A surcharge on entities liable under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could advance good governance abroad and help create a more stable world.

The Fight Against Kleptocracy Should Look Beyond the West
Efforts that help constrain the enabling environment for corruption in the West do not sufficiently tackle how foreign authoritarian actors turbocharge kleptocracy and the role…

Safeguarding Democracy Among Eastern Europe’s Three Seas
With EU and US help, the Three Seas Initiative can resist Russia's and China's designs on the region by promoting transparency, prosperity, and development.