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.
4,713 Articles
Takeaways from the House Intelligence Committee Cybersecurity Hearing
On Thursday morning, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence held a hearing on “Cybersecurity Threats: The Way Forward,” featuring testimony by Adm. Michael Rogers,…
The Hicks Military Commission Appeal
Just over a year ago, I wrote a post about the David Hicks and Omar Khadr cases–and the very real possibility that, as a result of the D.C. Circuit’s decision in “Hamdan…
The End of the Snowden Affair
Sometime around 7:30 p.m. (EST) last night, the 17-month-long national conversation over how to reform U.S. foreign intelligence surveillance authorities effectively ended when…
Obama Administration’s Position on the UN Torture Convention: New? Yes. Significant? Not so much
Could it be that American international law experts and human rights advocates are suffering from some form of Stockholm Syndrome — so many defeats and dashed hopes at the…
America’s “Unequivocal Yes” to the Torture Ban
Last week in Geneva, the U.S. delegation appeared before the Committee Against Torture and announced important changes to the U.S. government’s legal position regarding the…
What the Cold War Can Teach Us About Containing ISIL
Editors’ Note: The following post is the latest installment of “Monday Reflections,” in which a different Just Security editor takes an in-depth look at the big stories…
Debunking the “Vichy France” Argument on Authorization to Use Force against Co-Belligerents
If Congress authorizes the President to wage war against an enemy (e.g., Al Qaeda), can the President also wage war against co-belligerents of that enemy (e.g., Al Qaeda of the…
Seeking Consensus on AUMFs
[Cross-posted at Lawfare] The three of us have coauthored an Op-Ed in Sunday’s Washington Post on the topic of congressional authorization for the use of force against ISIL and…
The core of Zivotofsky: of passports, property, commerce, recognition . . . and, ultimately, diplomacy
Seth Barrett Tillman is probably correct: Section 214(d) of the 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act–which requires the Secretary of State to record the place of birth…
The United States and the Torture Convention, Part I: Extraterritoriality
[Editor’s Note: Just Security is holding a “mini forum” on the change in the U.S. government’s position on the application of the Convention Against Torture beyond U.S.…
Sen. Kaine: Narrow the Scope of the 2001 AUMF
WASHINGTON — It’s no secret that Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) doesn’t buy the White House’s claim that the 2001 authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against al-Qaeda…
Principles to Guide Congressional Authorization of the Continued Use of Force Against ISIL—Clarification on Sunset Provision
On Monday, a group of eight legal experts, including some Just Security editors and some not, released a document entitled, “Principles to Guide Congressional Authorization…