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.
1,805 Articles
Federal Agencies Face April Deadline on Secret JFK Files
Congress has mandated that agencies update the public on thousands of files related to the JFK assassination by April 26. Previous disclosures have been incomplete. Will agencies…
The Public Should Have Access to the Surveillance Court’s Opinions
For decades, a special court—the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, or “FISC”—has issued secret legal opinions authorizing the U.S. government to conduct sweeping…
SolarWinds: Accountability, Attribution, and Advancing the Ball
Assessing the United States' actions on SolarWinds and what it means for global responses to malicious cyber activities in future.
We’re From the Government, We’re Here to Help: The FBI and the Microsoft Exchange Hack
In a recent operation, the FBI removed malware from hacked Microsoft Exchange servers, and only attempted to notify the servers’ owners after the fact. This approach is almost…
Limited Sanctions Will Not Deter Putin, But They Are a Fine Start
All this disclosure is arguably the best way for democracies to use true information to fight back against manipulative active measures
The French Global Security Law: Security or Liberties?
When it comes to the Global Security Law Proposal, which is currently being discussed by the French Parliament, it seems that France is choosing security before liberties.
China’s Dystopian “New IP” Plan Shows Need for Renewed US Commitment to Internet Governance
The US must rally partners to rein in the abuse of multilateral institutions for Huawei’s plans on 6G and beyond, which make concerns over 5G look minor.
In Absence of Foreign Agents Registration Reform, DOJ Tweaks Could Make a Big Difference
Its core obligations have not been comprehensively updated since the 1960s. Until they are, the executive branch could address key shortcomings.
How Attorney General Garland Can Strengthen FOIA Implementation
Here's what Attorney General Garland's department-wide memorandum on the Freedom of Information of Act should look like.
Germany’s Positions on International Law in Cyberspace Part I
Germany issues major statement on cyberspace and international law, analyzed here by leading expert Professor Michael Schmitt.
Intelligence Reimagined: Don’t Forget the Human Dimension in the Pursuit of Technological Solutions
The lopsided emphasis on technology in recent assessments risks an under-appreciation of the human dimension of intelligence gathering.
Robust Gender Analysis Will Be Key to Effective US Policy Development
Securing equality in foreign policy and national security means implementing requirements and ensuring they apply to all government decision-making.