Recent Articles

The Early Edition: May 21, 2019
Signup to receive the Early Edition in your inbox here. Before the start of business, Just Security provides a curated summary of up-to-the-minute developments at home and abroad.…

Trump’s Preference for Acting Officials Puts National Security at Risk
This article is cross-posted on Lawfare. President Trump recently announced that his intended nominee for secretary of defense will be Patrick Shanahan, who became—way back…

Bill Barr’s Extreme Views on War Powers Mean Congress’s Window to Stop War with Iran is Now
Attorney General Barr’s extreme past positions on unilateral presidential power could cut out any required role for Congress in authorizing or rejecting war. Here's what Congress…

Why the Christchurch Call to Remove Online Terror Content Triggers Free Speech Concerns
In deciding whether to endorse the Christchurch Call, the question for U.S. policymakers was whether the text essentially called on the U.S. or others to act inconsistently with…

Sticking It To Yourself: Preemptive Pardons for Battlefield Crimes Undercut Military Justice and Military Effectiveness
Chris Jenks served as Special Counsel to the General Counsel of the Department of Defense (2017-2018) where he was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional…

The Early Edition: May 20, 2019
Signup to receive the Early Edition in your inbox here. Before the start of business, Just Security provides a curated summary of up-to-the-minute developments at home and abroad.…

Recap of Recent Pieces on Just Security (May 13-18)
Russia probe, International Criminal Court, Golan Heights, U.S.-Iran conflict, South Sudan, Surveillance of human rights defenders, Countering Violent Extremism, Cyber Warfare,…

The Balance Has Shifted: The Data on Impeachment Favor Moving Ahead
"Blumenthal’s piece changes the balance to favor Congress acting now. His data decimate the major impediment to holding Trump accountable – the fear that this president would…

Christchurch Calls and Washington Isn’t Answering
One of the more predictable diplomatic rituals since 9/11 has been that when terrorists strike a close American ally, Washington stands in solidarity with that country, offering…

When To Use the ‘Nuclear Option?’ Why Knocking Russia Offline Is a Bad Idea
The news about the November 2018 Cyber Command operation that knocked the notorious Russian troll farm, the Internet Research Agency, offline before the U.S. midterm elections…

McGahn’s Chief of Staff, Annie Donaldson May Be Congress’ Prized Witness
Don McGahn's chief of staff had a front seat at the Trump White House during the Russia investigation, and has reasons to comply with Congress' subpoena.

ICC Prosecutor Signals Important Strategy Shift in New Policy Document
"The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, has released for comment a draft of her Strategic Plan for the final years of her mandate, 2019-2021.…