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.
4,595 Articles
Biden’s Final Efforts on Ukraine — and Trump’s First Moves
The US easing of limits on use of a long-range missile system, ATACMS, may be too late, depending on Trump's approach when he takes office.
How Much (or How Little) Does the Biden Administration Want Justice in the 9/11 Case?
Secretary of Defense Austin's actions to reverse a plea deal for three defendants at Guantanamo may further jeopardize the prosecution's case.
Will Renewed `Maximum Pressure’ Sanctions Yield Maximum Results? Not Likely.
Trump may find that the global economic dynamics that might have supported such a strategy the last time aren't the same today.
Do Sanctions Work? It Depends. Burma and the West Bank Might Be Models.
The question shifts the focus from the far more critical issues of whether policy goals are clear and realistic and if sanctions can help.
Sanctioning Human Trafficking Under the Global Magnitsky Program
This latest set of sanctions is a promising development, particularly as the State Department signaled its intent to prioritize using the Global Magnitsky program to address forced…
How to Fix the Defense Production Act Committee
Revamping the Defense Production Act Committee to achieve its founding potential would be a step toward a stronger American industrial strategy – and to ensuring American resilience…
Abu Ghraib Dejà Vu
As torture victims from the Abu Ghraib prison return to U.S. federal court, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Xenakis discusses need for accountability.
A Review of Donald Trump’s Appellate Brief, and Amicus Briefs, Concerning the Appointment of Jack Smith as Special Counsel
Preliminary reactions to the three arguments Donald Trump made to the Eleventh Circuit regarding Jack Smith's appointment as Special Counsel.
Withdrawal from International Agreements: Toward a “Tailored Out”
The practical and political stakes of this admittedly esoteric question of constitutional law are high, implicating as it does the effectiveness of the United States’ engagement…
Presidential Power to Exit Treaties: Reflecting on the Mirror Principle
On balance, a mirroring concept serves better as part of an aspiration for greater inter-branch cooperation in making and unmaking international agreements, rather than as a legally-enforceable…
As Interpol Gets New Secretary General, What are the Risks of Abuses Over Reforms?
Interpol's General Assembly will formally elect a new operational head from Brazil amid growing political and legal challenges.
Is The Pentagon’s Plan to Protect Civilians Living up to its Promises?
Taking stock of the Pentagon's progress in implementing the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan.