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.
1,846 Articles
A Damage Assessment of Trump’s “Declassification Defense”
"It should be shocking to the American public and to jurors in a courtroom to hear such a line of defense to allegations of mishandling national defense information."
Assessing Trump’s Claim of ‘Executive Privilege’ on FBI Access to MAL Docs
"In short, the notion that a former president can block his successor from accessing presidential records that the incumbent believes he needs for purposes of carrying out executive…
Need for US Ethics Reform Is Far from History: Kushner-MBS Deal Reflects Broken System
Recommended reforms include a two-year post-employment ban preventing senior and very senior officials from working on behalf of foreign governments, plus exploring options for…
Trump Associate’s Stated Plan to Publicly Release “Declassified” Documents
New revelations "could have significant legal implications for the Justice Department’s ongoing criminal investigation."
Oversight Reports Raise Questions About Value of DHS Counterterrorism Efforts
Twenty years after DHS was cobbled together in the wake of 9/11, it’s time to seriously examine which of its programs really protect us.
Politics, Not Law, Is Key to Confiscating Russian Central Bank Assets
The political and legal complications of using such proceeds to compensate Ukraine aren't trivial, but neither are they insurmountable.
Myths & Misunderstandings Relating to Mar-a-Lago Documents Investigation
Five myths broken down by J. William Leonard who, in government service, was responsible for the oversight of classified information for the entire executive branch.
Five Years After “Unite the Right”: Reflections on Charlottesville for Today’s Threat Landscape
Charlottesville was a watershed moment in US politics and a wake-up call to the counterterrorism community. What lessons have been learned on how to counter white supremacist extremism?
Lessons from Petraeus’s Guilty Plea for Trump’s Classified Docs Investigation
In the retired general's case, the FBI executed a search warrant at his home and seized notebooks allegedly containing classified material.
Expert Backgrounder: Criminal Statutes that Could Apply to Trump’s Retention of Government Documents
The DOJ obtained a search warrant for Mar-a-Lago. What underlying crimes might have justified the search? Experts survey the possibilities.
Biden’s Weak Stand in Saudi Arabia Could Kick MBS’ Repression Machine Into Overdrive – But It’s Not Too Late to Act
The US could still change course to salvage the relationship, advance mutual interests, and expand overlapping values.
Retrenchment of the Federal Right to Abortion: How Dobbs Threatens National Security
The Dobbs decision has broad national security implications, increasing the risk of political violence and damaging US standing in the world.