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.
1,807 Articles

What Just Happened: What Trump’s Hobbling of the Privacy Oversight Board Portends for Exercise of Surveillance Powers
A “small” story about the removal of the three Democrats on the Private and Civil Liberties Board (PCLOB) is ominous.

Biden’s Cybersecurity Executive Order and What Comes Next Under Trump
Regardless of what steps Trump takes next, Biden's cybersecurity EO reflects an important consensus on the evolving cyber threat landscape.

The Just Security Podcast: The Supreme Court’s Decision on TikTok
Marty Lederman, Asha Rangappa, and Xiangnong (George) Wang discuss how the Supreme Court balanced free speech rights and national security concerns in the TikTok case.

Spyware Company NSO Group Faces Setbacks in Attempts to Avoid US Lawsuits
In a case brought by WhatsApp, a US court ruled that the NSO Group was liable for hacking and breach of contract.

Senate Testimony on Confirmation of Attorney General: Preserving the Independence of the Department of Justice
Mary McCord's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearing for Donald Trump's Attorney General nominee, Pam Bondi.

Questions for Senators (and Journalists) to Ask CIA Director Nominee John Ratcliffe
We asked intelligence experts and former members of the intelligence community for questions they would ask Ratcliffe in Wednesday's hearing.

Questions for Senators (And Journalists) to Ask Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi
We asked leading experts what questions Committee members should ask Bondi in her confirmation hearing.

Unpacking the Inspector General Report on January 6th and FBI “False Flag” Conspiracies
A top expert analysis of the evidence in the Inspector General report.

National Security Resilience and Reform: Trump 2.0 and Beyond
Beginning a national security reform process is not just necessary, but urgently demanded to break inertia and launch a new dynamic.

Congress Must Heed Koh’s Call to Surface Secret Law
Ensuring that any secret law-making in the executive branch gets disinfecting sunlight is uniquely important because of its potential to give legal cover for overbroad, unaccountable,…

Border Technologies Under Trump 2.0
With few safeguards to govern AI deployment, high-risk experimentation at the border will likely continue during Trump's second term.

Law and Leadership for National Security in 2025 and Beyond
Former US intelligence attorney discusses importance of a steady hand at senior US intelligence positions in 2025 and beyond.