Executive Branch

Just Security’s expert authors provide analysis of the U.S. executive branch related to national security, rights, and the rule of law. Analysis and informational resources focus on the executive branch’s powers and their limits, and the actions of the president, administrative agencies, and federal officials.

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4,604 Articles
A billboard with president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo stands over the empty streets of the new capital city on August 16, 2018 in Oyala, Equatorial Guinea. The dome at the end of the street will be the new house for the president.

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.…
A bus passes a large Microsoft sign and logo lit up in bright lights.

We’re From the Government, We’re Here to Help: The FBI and the Microsoft Exchange Hack

In a recent operation, the FBI removed malware from hacked Microsoft Exchange servers, and only attempted to notify the servers’ owners after the fact. This approach is almost…
U.S. President Joe Biden stands at a podium and announces new economic sanctions against the Russia government from the East Room of the White House on April 15, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Limited Sanctions Will Not Deter Putin, But They Are a Fine Start

All this disclosure is arguably the best way for democracies to use true information to fight back against manipulative active measures
Two people hold signs during an anti-corruption protest march along Borrowdale road, on July 31, 2020 in Harare. One reads, “No to Corruption. Fix our healh system. We can’t breathe.” The other reads, “You know you have messed up when you make me march! #HandsOffOurConstitution #StopCorruption”

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…
The columns and relief of the U.S. Treasury Department.

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.
The International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, holds a press conference during her visit to look into allegations of extreme violence on May 3, 2018 in Kinshasa.

Congress Must Reform Sanctions Law to Avoid ICC Penalties from Happening Again

Reversing the sanctions the Trump administration placed on International Criminal Court leaders is not enough to prevent something like that from happening again.
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Hizyme Potter, administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Capt. Stewart Bateshansky, commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) in the Arabian Gulf, March 19, 2021. Both wear face masks and Hospital Corpsman Potter wears gloves and a face shield.

Should the COVID-19 Vaccine Be Required for the Military?

A mandatory vaccination program would likely be upheld in military and federal courts if President Biden determines that it is in the interests of national security.
A woman cooks on the ground in the community of Ntocota, Metuge District in Pemba, Cabo Delgado Province on February 22, 2021, where thousands of displaced residents have been relocated due to recent attacks by armed insurgents in northern Mozambique.

The US Military Should Stay Out of Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado; Send Diplomats Who Know the Terrain

The conflict's deep roots illustrate a case where the US should begin to reject two decades of conflict escalation that began with the Global War on Terror.
Representatives of the European Union and Iran sit at a table attending the Iran nuclear talks at the Grand Hotel on April 06, 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Flags stand behind the representatives. They wear face masks and sit mostly socially distanced.

Deciphering Iran’s Position on Restoring the Nuclear Deal

The talks in Vienna between global powers and Iran have the potential to lead to a breakthrough on restoring the JCPOA. The rhetoric emanating from Iran reflects a willingness…
Haitians march in Port-au-Prince to commemorate the national day of the Haitian women's movement on April 3, 2021.

Gender Equality is Fundamental to Promoting Democracy

Funders and implementers should make this a core principle, as feminist foreign policy advocates press the case in democratic systems and institutions.
A young Honduran asylum seeker waits with her family on the international bridge from Mexico to the United States on December 09, 2019 next to the border town of Matamoros, Mexico. They

To Fix the Immigration System, We Need To Start With Immigration Courts

If we want to re-build a better, stronger immigration system, we need to start with immigration courts.
A person on a motorbikes drives next to the construction site of a new road built by the Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in Antananarivo, on October 20, 2018.

Overlooking the Policy Connections: Fragility, Democracy, and Geopolitical Competition

To reinforce global democracy and compete with rivals, the US must prevent conflict and stabilize fragile states. The issues are intertwined.
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