Executive & Military
Highlights:
The New “National Defense Area” at the Southern Border: What You Need to Know
NSPM-4 creates a military area that is twice the size of Washington, D.C. and expands the military’s role in stopping cross-border migration.
In Turkey, Peace as Pretext: Erdoğan’s Kurdish Initiative and the Authoritarian Logic Behind Arresting His Main Opponent
The arrest of the Turkish president's main rival, Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu, sharpens the contradictions of the peace effort with the Kurds.
Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of Trump Administration Executive Actions
Coverage of key developments, including in concise “What Just Happened” expert explainers, legal and policy analysis, and more. Check back frequently for updates.
Upending the International Order: Why Undermining the UN Charter and US Defense Commitments is Self-Defeating
The President should understand that bellicose threats and unreliability as an ally may leave the United States poorer and more vulnerable on his watch and will frustrate his nuclear…
Signal Gate: The Criminal Law Precedents That Are Most Relevant
A range of federal laws, including the Espionage Act and laws against the destruction of government records, could apply in this case.
What to Read on the Alien Enemies Act
A list of Just Security's expert analysis on the Trump administration's reported plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act.
2,191 Articles
Veterans Can’t Sit This One Out
Veteran Services Organizations and veterans should be leading the charge to defend our constitutional system
What Just Happened: Security and Foreign Policy Implications of Pausing Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine
The Trump administration's decision to pause intelligence sharing with Kyiv may have significant national security ramifications - both for Ukraine and the United States.
No, the Defense Department Did Not “Ignore” a Judicial Order in 1973 Cambodia Bombing Case
I argued the Holtzman case. Nothing in Holtzman v. Schlesinger suggests that the military, acting under Presidential instructions, is empowered to ignore court orders.
How the Pentagon Personnel Firings Threaten Our Apolitical Military
This unprecedented purge of the nation’s top brass suggests that Trump may attempt to fill these roles with officers he perceives as loyal.
Trump Administration’s Mixed Signals on Russia and Ukraine May Reflect Internal Strategic Clash
Chaotic inconsistencies risk undermining its own approach and suggest splits between “peace through strength” and great-power appeasement.
U.S. Military Action in Mexico: Almost Certainly Illegal, Definitely Counterproductive
U.S. military action in Mexico would not only be illegal, it would sabotage Trump’s stated immigration policy priorities and could lead to retaliation against Americans.
The Attempt to Purge Trans Members from the Armed Forces
The effort to purge all trans people from the military is not merely a repeat of the struggle that played out during the first Trump administration; it is an attack of a different…
What Just Happened: At Guantanamo’s Migrant Operation Center
Sending anyone from the United States to Guantanamo raises a host of legal, moral, and policy questions.
What Just Happened: Sanctuary Policies and the DOJ Memo’s Empty Threat of Criminal Liability
A leading expert analyzes the Justice Department threat to prosecute state and local officials in sanctuary cities.
What is the Future of American Counterterrorism Strikes in Somalia?
Will Trump increase the pace and number of U.S. strikes and operations in Somalia, and what would be the implications for civilian harm?
A Model Leahy Law Legal Memo on Assistance to Israeli Security Forces
A model Department of Defense action memo illustrates what a faithful application of the Leahy law to an alleged gross human rights violation in Israel would look like.
Deployment of the U.S. Military for Immigration Enforcement: A Primer
An expert explainer by leading expert on the domestic deployment of the U.S. military.