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.
4,623 Articles
“Effective” Policy in Syria: Ambassador Robert Ford’s View
I wrote here yesterday in response to a post by Marty Lederman and Ashley Deeks about the recent, much-publicized dissent channel cable signed by 51 US diplomats. While my discussion…
Pain Versus Gain
This post is the latest installment of our “Monday Reflections” feature, in which a different Just Security editor examines the big stories from the previous week or looks…
Another Legal View of the Dissent Channel Cable on Syria
Since Vietnam, East Pakistan, and the Balkans, it has been a time-honored tradition that State Department officials who disagree with official policy may challenge it through the…
“Material Support” and Targeting
Ken Watkin’s thoughtful piece last week — Reflections on Targeting: Looking in the Mirror — addressed the debate on the targeting of war-sustaining economic enterprises as…
Would airstrikes against Assad be lawful and effective?: Reactions to the State “dissent cable”
Editor’s note: This post also appears on Lawfare. As you have probably read, 51 career foreign service officers in the State Department have written an internal memorandum recommending…
Recap of Recent Posts on Just Security (June 11–17)
I. The Brexit Vote Shaheed Fatima QC, Brexit and National Security (Monday, June 13) II. Cybersecurity Ido Kilovaty, Guest Post: Will “Cyber Bonds” Mitigate Transnational…
The Early Edition: June 17 2016
Before the start of business, Just Security provides a curated summary of up-to-the-minute developments at home and abroad. Here’s today’s news. IRAQ, SYRIA, and THE ISLAMIC…
Reflections on Targeting: Looking in the Mirror
Questions about targeting the “money” of the self-styled Islamic State (IS) have been raised in this forum. Images of missile strikes on financial warehouses and money floating…
Will “Cyber Bonds” Mitigate Transnational Cyberspace Threats?
Last week, Nathan Bruschi introduced the new concept of “cyber bonds,” which seeks to deter governments from engaging in harmful transnational cyberspace activities by hurting…
Recap of Recent Posts on Just Security (June 4–10)
I. Cybersecurity Kristen Eichensehr, Giving Up on Cybersecurity — Strategically (Monday, June 6) II. Surveillance & Intelligence Jennifer Daskal, Beware of the Emergency…
FBI Guidelines Weaken Separation of Community Outreach and Intelligence Gathering Efforts
Community outreach programs are a staple of modern law enforcement, designed to build trust, address local concerns, and communicate effectively with the public — at least in…
Beware of the Emergency Exception Loophole in the Email Privacy Act
The Email Privacy Act, which passed the House 419-0, is slated for consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week. The legislation updates the now 30-year old…