Intelligence & Surveillance

Just Security’s expert authors provide legal and policy analysis of intelligence and surveillance activities, focusing on their impact on national security and on civil liberties and privacy rights, and their oversight by Congress and the courts.

Highlights:

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine (R) turn to watch a video of a bombing test

What Counts as a Win?: Battle Damage Assessments and Public Messaging

The White House's future BDA briefings on the Iran strikes will likely project certainty where analysis still urges caution.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine

Intelligence Implications of the Shifting Iran Strike Narrative

How the growing politicization of the U.S. intelligence community undermines the integrity of decision-making on Iran and national security more broadly.
The logo of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seen at the Los Angeles Federal Building after a news conference to provide an update on the investigation into a May 18, 2025, bombing at a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, on June 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. Daniel Park, 32 from Washington state, was arrested by the FBI at John F. Kennedy International Airport on June 3, 2025, as he was arriving. He is a suspect in the investigation into the May 18, 2025, bombing at a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Setting the Record Straight on Nihilistic Violence

Confusion over “nihilistic violence” risks mislabeling attacks, hindering efforts to prevent mass violence by non-ideological subcultures.
An Iranian flag is draped from a building damaged during a recent attack by Israel in the Gisha neighborhood of Tehran, Iran, on June 25, 2025. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Why War? Why Now? Assessing Iranian Intentions and Capabilities

Why did Israel, and then the United States, decide to attack Iran now, even as U.S.-Iranian negotiations sputtered along?
People and first-responders gather outside a building that was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran on June 13, 2025. Israel hit about 100 targets in Iran on June 13, including nuclear facilities and military command centres and killing senior figures including the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists. (Photo by MEGHDAD MADADI/TASNIM NEWS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Israeli Strike on Iran the U.S. Saw Coming, but Couldn’t Stop

The Israel-Iran crisis will be a key test for how the Trump administration handles national security crises and its ability to respond.
Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe (R) accompanied by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (L)

When Intelligence Stops Bounding Uncertainty: The Dangerous Tilt Toward Politicization under Trump

In a system where assessments are filtered to support policy, the next intelligence failure will not be a surprise, but a choice.
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1,782 Articles
People take part in a protest in Trafalgar Square after marching through London ahead of the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, on September 13, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Safeguarding Evidence: The Coalition that Preserved Content from Iran’s “Women, Life, Freedom” Protests

Woman, Life, Freedom victims and survivors have been asking the world for help. It is time to amplify their calls and turn these cries for justice into reality.
Collage of images pertaining to artificial intelligence

Just Security’s Artificial Intelligence Archive

Just Security's collection of articles analyzing the implications of AI for society, democracy, human rights, and warfare.
Military forces who are affiliated with Yemen's Houthi group take part in a mass protest held against the Israeli continued bombardment and blockade of people in the Gaza Strip on May 23, 2025 in Sana'a, Yemen. (Photo by Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)

Terrorism and the Threat of Weak States

State weakness boosts the organizational vitality of resident terrorist groups, enabling them to not only live longer but also expand their terrorist activities.
The headquarters of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington, DC, November 18, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

The FTC’s Concerning Inaction on a New Data Protection Law

Inaction on PADFA means that the personal information of U.S. citizens can continue to be transferred to adversarial nations without consequences.
Katherine Keneally and Julia Ebner answer questions at the Calleva-Airey Neave Global Security Seminar Series hosted by Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government on May 1, 2025.

Q&A with Katherine Keneally: The Future of Terrorism Detection and Analysis

How should we understand evolving terrorism, and what’s needed for better threat assessment? Julia Ebner discussed this with expert Katherine Keneally.
The sign at the FBI headquarters building reads, “J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building.”

Nihilistic Violent Extremism: A Valuable Stride Forward in American Counterterrorism

Nihilistic violent extremism might even be considered part of a fourth generation of online radicalization, blurring the lines between killers and terrorists.
Conceptual image of a laptop surrounded by cloud illustrations and being watched by security cameras

One Step Forward? Agreement on Spyware Regulation in the Pall Mall Process

A new code marks a serious commitment by states to regulate digital surveillance tools, but stops short of agreeing to hard legal standards.
Hand arranged wooden cube blocks with leaves. Climate-change related green icons. (Getty Images)

Don’t Succumb to Climate Fatalism

Climate policy is taking a hit, but succumbing to this backsliding is not the answer. Instead, there are real security, economic, and political benefits to hitting back.
gavel hammer with smartphone on blue background.

Online Safety Regulations Around the World: The State of Play and The Way Forward

A global survey and analysis of online safety laws reveals an emerging set of discernible approaches to platform regulation.
Signage and flowers are placed on a tree reads "ICE kidnapped our neighbor"

The Fox TV Problem with Deporting International Students

The SCOTUS decision in FCC v. Fox TV emphasized fair notice, a bedrock requirement of due process that could shield students from removal.
Trump's AI Strategy Takes Shape

The Just Security Podcast: Trump’s AI Strategy Takes Shape

Is a distinct Trump strategy for AI beginning to emerge—and what will that mean for the United States and the rest of the world?  
The Binnenhof (Dutch Parliament) on Hofvijver lake in the Hague city, South Holland, Netherlands

The Netherlands Apologizes for Involvement in Hawija Airstrike and Lays Out Further Reforms

The Dutch Cabinet's release of a list of commitments on mitigating civilian harm is a major step forward for transparency.
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