narco-trafficking
19 Articles

Legal Flaws in the Trump Administration’s Notice to Congress on “Armed Conflict” with Drug Cartels
The Trump administration’s “armed conflict” justification, however, is groundless.

US Servicemembers’ Exposure to Criminal Liability for Lethal Strikes on Narcoterrorists
Analysis by former career judge advocate officer and former court-martial prosecutor.

The United States’ Dirty War on “Narco Terrorism”
By Professor Ben Saul, the Challis Chair of International Law at University of Sydney and United Nations Special Rapporteur.

Murder by Drone: The Legal and Moral Stakes of the Caribbean Strikes
If allowed to go unchecked, the Caribbean strikes could encourage additional unlawful executions by the United States and other leaders.

Asserting a License to Kill: Why the Caribbean Strike is a Dangerous Departure from the “War on Terror”
An absence of credible legal basis for the Caribbean strike suggests the Trump admin is asserting a prerogative to kill outside the law.

The Just Security Podcast: Sen. Elissa Slotkin on a New Vision for American National Security
The Senator joins Tess Bridgeman and Ryan Goodman for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of national security and foreign policy.

The Many Ways in Which the September 2 Caribbean Strike was Unlawful … and the Grave Line the Military Has Crossed
A deep dive into US domestic authority and law most relevant to the US strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat.

Striking Drug Cartels Under the Jus ad Bellum and Law of Armed Conflict
Analysis of laws of war and law on the resort to armed force in U.S. military action against Tren de Aragua.

The Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas? What You Need to Know about the U.S. Strike on the Caribbean Vessel
Rebecca Ingber and Brian Finucane join Tess Bridgeman to unpack what you need to know about the U.S. strike on a purported drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean.

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.

U.S. Military Action in Mexico: Almost Certainly Illegal, Definitely Counterproductive
U.S. military action in Mexico would not only be illegal, it would sabotage Trump’s stated immigration policy priorities and could lead to retaliation against Americans.