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.
4,711 Articles
Great Expectations: AFRICOM’s New Quarterly Report on Civilian Casualties
A look at circumstances under which civilian casualties may occur in Somalia, why the US military may be under-reporting the numbers, and what to do about it.
What Counts As Sufficient Transparency on Civilian Casualties in Somalia
Former National Security Council and Defense Department official writes about upcoming civilian casualties report from AFRICOM, and what will still be missing.
US Ramps Up War in Somalia, Killing More Civilians
While much of the world tries to fight a global pandemic that has already killed thousands, the U.S. military has been secretly stepping up its war in Somalia, killing civilians…
There is No Public Health Rationale for a Categorical Ban on Asylum Seekers
"We asked six infectious disease epidemiology experts to respond to the CDC's public health justifications for closing the border to asylum seekers." Their unanimous response:…
Seek and Speak the Truth
Promoting an environment that supports truth-telling is vital to the Intelligence Community.
Pompeo’s “Rights Commission” Is Worse Than Feared: 7 Concerns to Watch
There is a narrow window to truly examine how the U.S. government can advance, rather than undermine, equal rights for all.
ICC Afghanistan Torture Investigation Likely to Turn on Criminal Intent
Good-faith reliance on advice of counsel is a well-established defense in U.S. criminal law, but it has not yet been tested at the ICC.
U.S. Security Aid Is a Faith-Based Policy
The US government requires more empirical evidence for aid to help improve livelihoods abroad than for financing weapons used to destroy them.
9/11 All Over Again
As in the days after 9/11, the current challenges stemming from COVID-19 seem unprecedented. But the parallels are striking.
Extend New START — The World Can’t Afford a U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Race Too
The chances of successfully negotiating a new, complex deal including China were already slim before the coronavirus pandemic. Now, in the midst of what clearly will be an extended…
The Human Rights Lessons from COVID-19: Equality Requires Economic and Social Rights Protections
Minority communities are having to weather the worst of the pandemic. Still, the Trump administration continues its efforts to downplay the significance of economic and social…
Beware, Lobbyists: The Future of FARA Under a Biden Presidency
If Donald Trump loses the upcoming election in November, the Department of Justice’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) – the law that’s already tripped up numerous Trump…