Marco Rubio
24 Articles

Using Labels, Not Law, to Justify Lethal Force: Inside the Venezuelan Boat Strike
Applying a new label to an old problem does not transform the problem. Nor does it grant the U.S. president or the U.S. military expanded legal authority to kill civilians.

Legal Issues Raised by a Lethal U.S. Military Attack in the Caribbean
The Trump administration’s extraordinary lethal attack on a purported drug smuggling vessel – and its vow that it is the start of a campaign – raise significant legal issues.

The Legal Fig Leaf: The US-El Salvador Detainee Diplomatic Notes
Declassified U.S.–El Salvador documents expose a shaky legal cover and continued U.S. control over detainees in CECOT, raising questions about complicity in potential abuses.

The Trump Administration’s Costly Sidelining of Human Rights in Foreign Policy
The Trump administration’s approach to human rights ignores the real-world downsides and missed opportunities of setting aside human rights as a U.S. foreign policy interest.

The Israeli Strike on Iran the U.S. Saw Coming, but Couldn’t Stop
The Israel-Iran crisis will be a key test for how the Trump administration handles national security crises and its ability to respond.

Terrorism and the Threat of Weak States
State weakness boosts the organizational vitality of resident terrorist groups, enabling them to not only live longer but also expand their terrorist activities.

How the Proposed State Department Reorganization Guts U.S. Human Rights Diplomacy
"Congress should urge Secretary Rubio to modify the proposed plan in ways that would sustain bipartisan U.S. efforts to advance democracy and human rights across the globe."

The Just Security Podcast: What’s Next for U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Assistance?
Expert panel considers the proposed restructuring of the State Department and unpacks the implications for U.S. foreign policy, what's at stake, and what lies ahead.

How to Land the Emerging Deal on Peace for Ukraine
Negotiations to achieve some kind of end to Russia’s war on Ukraine have reached an intensive phase. Moments of truth lie immediately ahead.

Secretary of State Rubio’s Reorganization Plan Could Offer a Chance to Rescue U.S. Foreign Assistance — If He’s Smart About It
After months demolishing foreign aid, the Trump administration could still regroup for something worthy of America’s values and interests.

Deportation to CECOT: The Constitutional Prohibition on Punishment Without Charge or Trial
Sending migrants to El Salvador’s CECOT prison raises grave constitutional concerns under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments.

What Just Happened: The Trump Administration’s Reorganization of the State Department – and How We Got Here
The Trump administration’s proposed reorganization of the State Department is not just a reshuffle. It’s a realignment of diplomatic priorities that seems set to constrain…