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.
4,604 Articles

The Impact on Israel’s National Security of Reopening – or Not – of a US Consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem
The decision will affect three factors: Israel's relationship with the US, the Palestinian Authority's capacity, and Jerusalem's future.

What Should Be the Aim of President Biden’s Democracy Summit?
It should create international organizations to build democracy and the rule of law, with the heft of global economic institutions.

Navigating Nuclear Deadlock: What Comes Next in the Iran Talks?
On Nov. 29, Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus Germany) are set to meet in Vienna for a seventh round of talks on reviving…

How U.S. Sanctions Make it Harder for Afghan Children to Get an Education
To avoid worsening Afghanistan's education crisis, the U.S. Treasury Department should amend its general license on humanitarian assistance to explicitly cover education activities.

Centcom’s Full Statement on Baghuz Strike: Annotated
Our co-editor-in-chief identifies and annotates the 20 most significant elements of Centcom's statement.

Litigation Tracker: Major Decisions Facing the Biden Administration
The Biden administration must decide whether to change course or maintain the Trump administration’s litigation approach in major Trump-era cases concerning national security…

When US Security and Democracy Interests Clash
How to break six common and unhelpful patterns in US engagement with security partners that abuse rights or democratic standards.

Questions on the Baghuz Strikes
A list of specific questions for members of Congress, reporters, and investigators to ask about the strike.

Escalating Risks on Europe’s Eastern Frontier: Belarus-Poland, Russia-Ukraine, and How the US Can Work With Its Allies
President Biden hoped for a more stable and predictable relationship with Russia. Time to deal with reality instead.

Unilateral Use of Force in the “National Interest”: Taiwan Doesn’t Meet the Test
Can the President use force to protect Taiwan in the "national interest" without congressional authorization?

US Focus on `Open Balkan’ Economic Project Risks Open Season Instead
In the current security crisis and regional context, such a response may amount to meeting a threat to peace with appeasement and bribery.

Reexamining the Fundamentals of the Drone Program After the Kabul Strike
"There are certainly unique circumstances to the Kabul strike, but if we miss the bigger lessons, we only invite further tragedy. "