Terrorism & Violent Extremism
Just Security provides expert legal and policy analysis of terrorism, counterterrorism, and domestic and international violent extremism.
2,228 Articles

America Needs a War on Terror Transparency Act
The Pentagon has three months to investigate the disturbing New York Times report that the military conducted and covered up airstrikes in Baghuz, Syria that killed up to 64 civilians.…

Reestablishing Florida’s State Guard Won’t Give DeSantis a Private Army Free of Federal Control
While Florida Gov. DeSantis' proposal is worrisome as a political matter, it is unlikely to pose the kind of threat his critics fear.

The Absence of “The Donald”
The curious omission of a notorious social media site in the FBI's criminal case files on January 6th.

Bringing Climate and Terrorism Together at the UN Security Council – Proceed with Caution
The open debate creates risks that counterterrorism will come to dominate the climate security and environmental peacebuilding fields.

The Biden Administration’s Moment of Truth on Torture Evidence
US prosecutors claim the authority to use torture-derived evidence in Al-Nashiri's case, contrary to U.S. domestic and international legal obligations.

On Empathy, Scholarship, and Political Action: A Response to Lahmann
The situation on Belarus's borders sparks a debate on the appropriate path for international legal scholars. The latest from Aurel Sari and Ben Hudson.

Tragic Mistakes: Breaking the Military Culture of Impunity
How framing civilian harm in U.S. military operations -- as a “tragic mistake” -- hides the systemic failure that requires institutional reform.

Centcom’s Full Statement on Baghuz Strike: Annotated
Our co-editor-in-chief identifies and annotates the 20 most significant elements of Centcom's statement.

Litigation Tracker: Major Decisions Facing the Biden Administration
The Biden administration must decide whether to change course or maintain the Trump administration’s litigation approach in major Trump-era cases concerning national security…

When US Security and Democracy Interests Clash
How to break six common and unhelpful patterns in US engagement with security partners that abuse rights or democratic standards.

“Full of Sound and Fury”: Afghanistan’s Tragedy Becomes America’s Drama
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan continues to generate inflated warnings about looming threats ahead. But Jeffrey Rogg and Andrew Stigler say it is time to call attention to…

To Ease Iraq’s Displacement Crisis, Restorative Justice and Peacebuilding are Vital
Alongside humanitarian and logistical barriers, the lack of social acceptance is a factor barring 1.2 million people from returning home.