Department of Defense (DoD)
266 Articles
The New “National Defense Area” at the Southern Border: What You Need to Know
NSPM-4 creates a military area that is twice the size of Washington, D.C. and expands the military’s role in stopping cross-border migration.
Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of Trump Administration Executive Actions
Coverage of key developments, including in concise “What Just Happened” expert explainers, legal and policy analysis, and more. Check back frequently for updates.
Signal Gate: The Criminal Law Precedents That Are Most Relevant
A range of federal laws, including the Espionage Act and laws against the destruction of government records, could apply in this case.
No, the Defense Department Did Not “Ignore” a Judicial Order in 1973 Cambodia Bombing Case
I argued the Holtzman case. Nothing in Holtzman v. Schlesinger suggests that the military, acting under Presidential instructions, is empowered to ignore court orders.
How the Pentagon Personnel Firings Threaten Our Apolitical Military
This unprecedented purge of the nation’s top brass suggests that Trump may attempt to fill these roles with officers he perceives as loyal.
The Attempt to Purge Trans Members from the Armed Forces
The effort to purge all trans people from the military is not merely a repeat of the struggle that played out during the first Trump administration; it is an attack of a different…
What Just Happened: At Guantanamo’s Migrant Operation Center
Sending anyone from the United States to Guantanamo raises a host of legal, moral, and policy questions.
Key Takeaways for Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response from the Russia-Ukraine War
Ukraine's fight against Russia offers an important entry point to the discussion of applying CHMR practices to large-scale combat operations.
Unpacking the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on AI Infrastructure
The Biden administration's latest executive order on AI aims to balance innovation with national security, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability.
A Model Leahy Law Legal Memo on Assistance to Israeli Security Forces
A model Department of Defense action memo illustrates what a faithful application of the Leahy law to an alleged gross human rights violation in Israel would look like.
How Much (or How Little) Does the Biden Administration Want Justice in the 9/11 Case?
Secretary of Defense Austin's actions to reverse a plea deal for three defendants at Guantanamo may further jeopardize the prosecution's case.
How to Fix the Defense Production Act Committee
Revamping the Defense Production Act Committee to achieve its founding potential would be a step toward a stronger American industrial strategy – and to ensuring American resilience…