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.
4,605 Articles
Defining “Endless War” is Essential for Proper Strategic Analysis of America’s Wars
Clarifying what makes today’s war endless helps point toward the much-needed changes to existing authorizations and the culture that views military force as the proper response…
Why We Haven’t Made Progress on Civilian Protection
Three reasons for the lack of progress on reducing civilian casualties: We don’t learn, we don’t lead, and we don’t help our partners—or hold them to a high enough standard.
Congress Now Has More Power to Shed Light on Trump’s Abuses of Power
Throughout former President Donald Trump’s tenure, the White House stonewalled congressional oversight requests with impunity. Until now.
Spotlight on Sri Lanka as UN Human Rights Council Prepares Next Session
Concerns over impunity and a troubling decline in human rights will be prominent, with a long-awaited report by the UN high commissioner for human rights.
The Capitol Assault and the Continuing Threat: A Podcast Conversation with Elizabeth Neumann
What was President Trump’s likely awareness of social media postings by extremists who signaled their intent to commit violence and assault the Capitol in advance of January…
Through the Looking Glass, Darkly: The Supreme Court’s Muslim Travel Ban Decision
Although the Muslim travel ban has now been consigned to the dustbin of history, it is worth reflecting how the Supreme Court’s decision already looks in retrospect.
The Biden Administration Should Engage with the ICC – the Evidence Shows That It Saves Lives
The ICC’s success is not determined by number of indictments or convictions but by its effect on the world - and the empirical evidence shows that the ICC reduces violations…
NATO and the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty: Options for the Biden Administration
Whether the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons becomes a problem for NATO is entirely up to the allies.
Genocide against the Uyghurs: Legal Grounds for the United States’ Bipartisan Genocide Determination
Secretary of State Blinken and his predecessor agreed on at least one thing: Chinese treatment of Uyghurs constitutes genocide. But does the situation meet the legal definition…
Guardrails Needed for FBI Access to Social Media Monitoring
While social media analysis will be critical to investigations aimed at preventing acts of domestic terrorism, dragnet social media monitoring brings significant risks, and even…
Transforming the US Human Rights Report to Reflect Gender Rights — and Security
The Trump administration damaged the annual report's credibility. It is critical to rethink the data, especially on women and girls.
US Terrorist Designation for Houthis is Bad for Yemen Even Beyond Crippling Aid Efforts
The Trump administration’s labeling of the armed group in its dying days in office also imperils political prospects for peace.