Terrorism & Violent Extremism
Just Security provides expert legal and policy analysis of terrorism, counterterrorism, and domestic and international violent extremism.
2,223 Articles
International Law and Cyber Attacks: Sony v. North Korea
It could only happen in the movies. A major Hollywood company produces a film starring well-known comedic actors which involves the tongue-in-cheek assassination of the leader…
Fed Prosecutors: al-Libi Admitted al-Qaeda Membership, Was bin Laden Pen Pal
Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruquai, the alleged al-Qaeda operative from Libya better known by the nomme de guerre Abu Anas al-Libi, has admitted being a charter member of al-Qaeda, according…
The Washington Post Editorial Board’s (mis)conception of Congress’s role in war authorizations
In Monday’s Washington Post, the editorial board called for the next Congress to prioritize passage of an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL, but also…
The Unintended Consequences of the 2001 AUMF Sunset
I join Ryan Goodman in applauding the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under the strong leadership of its Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and many others…
Why Do We Talk About Torture The Way We Do?
Editors’ Note: The following post is the latest installment of our “Monday Reflections” feature, in which a different Just Security editor examines the big stories from…
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves ISIL AUMF and Sunset of 2001 AUMF
On Thursday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a draft authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL (full text) by a margin of 10-8 along party…
Five Torturous Steps to Hell
In a short and early section of the SSCI’s redacted summary of its torture report, we can read about the step-by-step descent from humanity to inhumanity, from the 20th century…
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Markup of Draft AUMF against ISIL
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee markup of the draft Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIL is happening now. Watch here.
Big News: US Closes Bagram Detention Facility
Big news out of Afghanistan—the United States has closed the detention facility at the Bagram Airfield. The last two prisoners were turned over to Afghan authorities on December…
A Guantánamo (Numerical) Milestone, and What It Means…
Although public and media attention has been, understandably, focused on this morning’s release of the SSCI Torture Report, another piece of national security-related news…
Kerry Outlines 5 Key Positions: What the Administration wants in an ISIL AUMF [Updated]
In his opening statement before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry outlined the Administration’s position on five core issues…
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on AUMF and Kerry Testimony
Secretary of State John Kerry’s testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today has been released. The hearing, scheduled for 2:00pm today, has begun, and live…