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
Belhaj v. Straw: UK complicity in US rendition and torture
This morning the United Kingdom’s High Court issued its judgment in a case brought by Abdel-Hakim Belhaj and his wife Fatima Boudchar against the UK’s government and intelligence…
UK High Court Rules on Case Involving Alleged US Rendition and Torture: Belhaj v. Straw and Others
The United Kingdom’s High Court today ruled in the case of Abdul-Hakim Belhaj who sued the UK government for its involvement in the alleged US torture and rendition (to Libya)…
UK Detainee Inquiry Report details Britain’s involvement in US torture and rendition programs
Across the pond, London has been politically rocked by the release of a report (full text) by an official inquiry into whether UK agents were involved in US torture and rendition…
Foreigners and the Review Group Report: Part 2
[Editor’s Note: Just Security is holding a “mini forum” on the Report by the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. Others in the series…
Edward Snowden’s Vindication? All Three Branches Considering NSA Reform
How things change in a single week. Just last week, I was taping a debate on Edward Snowden and the NSA with, among others, General Michael Hayden, former head of the NSA. …
President’s Review Board Says: Protect Thy Neighbor’s Privacy
[Editor’s Note: Just Security is holding a “mini forum” on the Report by the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. Others in the series…
White House Releases Report by President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies
This afternoon, the White House released the Report and Recommendations of the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. We also have a copy…
What We Don’t Know About Irek Hamidullan
This Washington Post story reports that “[t]he Obama administration is actively considering the use of a military commission in the United States to try a Russian who was…
Universal Jurisdiction Cases Involving U.S. Defendants
Ruchi Parekh’s recent post on the South African appellate decision on universal jurisdiction suggests that the ruling—which compels the South African authorities to investigate…
The Missing Moral Conscience of U.S. Foreign Policy: Where is the State Department’s Legal Adviser? [Updated]
Later today, the Senate will hold confirmation hearings for Caroline Diane Krass to serve as the CIA’s General Counsel, a position that just recently became vacant. Not letting…
Forced Transfer of Detainees with Diplomatic Assurances Against Ill-Treatment
Two recent developments have brought to the fore the issue of involuntary transfer of detainees to countries where they fear severe mistreatment such as torture or death. The first…
Drones Strikes Kill 18 in Yemen This Week — More Transparency is Needed
The alleged US drone strike that reportedly killed up to 15 people on their way to a wedding in Yemen on Thursday is just one more reason why the Obama administration has to start…