banner
LightNews
justsecurity.org
Just Security
@justsecurity.org
85K followers 130 following 1.2K posts
Forum on law, rights, and security. Editorial Board includes professors, top civil society attorneys, former senior government officials.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 16h
Crackdowns on lawyers, judges, prosecutors are part of a longstanding authoritarian playbook used globally to silence dissent.

Jasmine Cameron, Fernanda Nicola, and Natalie Landau examine the responses in a half dozen countries and possible lessons for the US legal community:
Attacks on U.S. Legal Profession Reflect Global Slide in Countries It Once Aided
Political pressures like those used to silence legal professionals and undermine rule of law in Europe and Eurasia echo autocratic patterns.
www.justsecurity.org
1 27 55
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 20h
Today's news roundup:
-Israel, Hamas exchange hostages and prisoners
-US intel guided Ukraine’s strikes on Russian energy sites: FT
-Pentagon will build a training facility for Qatari pilots in Idaho
-US awards $4.5 billion in border wall contracts, DHS says
👇
www.justsecurity.org/122444/early...
Early Edition: October 13, 2025
A curated guide to major news and developments over the weekend.
www.justsecurity.org
7 25
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 2d
(4/4) With thanks to our authors this week:

@laurathornton.bsky.social
Leila Nadya Sadat
Lindsay Freeman
@mackenzieharms.bsky.social
Maya Nir
Michael Mattler
Rachel Goldrenner
Sasha Lezhnev
Steven J. Lepper
@tessbridgeman.bsky.social
Thomas E. Brzozowski
1 1 9
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 2d
(3/4) With thanks to our authors this week:

Amy Markopolous
@bcfinucane.bsky.social
@becingber.bsky.social
Clara Apt
Daniel Maurer
@dschulkin.bsky.social
David J. Simon
Eugene R. Fidell
Janine Davidson
John Prendergast
Kathryn Hemmer
1 10
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 2d
(2/4) Catch up on our recent analysis:

• Trump executive actions
• U.S. foreign policy
• Emerging technologies
• Climate change / International law
• Georgian democracy
• Podcast

www.justsecurity.org/121966/diges...
Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (Oct. 6-10, 2025)
Russia-Ukraine War • Series: When Guardrails Erode • Series: Spyware • U.S. military • Violent extremism • Trump executive actions • U.S. foreign policy • Emerging technologies • Climate change / Inte...
www.justsecurity.org
1 1 5
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 2d
(1/4) Catch up on our recent analysis:

• Russia-Ukraine War
• Series: When Guardrails Erode
• Series: Spyware
• U.S. military
• Violent extremism

www.justsecurity.org/121966/diges...
Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (Oct. 6-10, 2025)
Russia-Ukraine War • Series: When Guardrails Erode • Series: Spyware • U.S. military • Violent extremism • Trump executive actions • U.S. foreign policy • Emerging technologies • Climate change / Inte...
www.justsecurity.org
1 13 25
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 3d
From Saddam Hussein’s draining of southern Iraq’s marshes to Russia’s attacks on a Ukrainian dam and nuclear power plant, calls are increasing to recognize mass environmental harms as international crimes.

@leilasadat1.bsky.social outlines a role for the proposed #CrimesAgainstHumanity treaty:
Case for Environmental Harm as a 12th Crime Against Humanity
Addressing the global environmental crisis requires urgent action. This treaty offers an opportunity to confront it directly and decisively.
www.justsecurity.org
31 82
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 3d
(2/2) New in the Anti-Corruption Tracker by @dschulkin.bsky.social, Amy Markopolous,+ Maya Nir:

www.justsecurity.org/117267/anti-...
3 11
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 3d
(1/2) The dismantling of FBI’s public corruption squad, restructuring of DOJ’s enforcement divisions, and exodus of senior career officials mark major shifts in the federal guardrails of accountability.

www.justsecurity.org/117267/anti-...
The Anti-Corruption Tracker: Mapping the Erosion of Oversight and Accountability
This Anti-Corruption Tracker focuses on the erosion or dismantling of oversight and accountability systems within the United States Executive Branch
www.justsecurity.org
4 30 65
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 3d
Today's news roundup:
-Venezuela asks UNSC for emergency session over US actions in the Caribbean
-Hegseth’s firing of Navy official compounds ‘culture of fear’ in DoD
-US to send 200 troops to Israel in support roles
-Palestinians start returning to Gaza City
👇
www.justsecurity.org/122337/early...
Early Edition: October 10, 2025
A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the last 24 hours.
www.justsecurity.org
3 12 39
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 4d
Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism

Leading scholar on domestic violent extremism and prevention strategies, Cynthia Miller-Idriss, joins Just Security Senior Fellow Tom Joscelyn to discuss her new book. They explore the intersection of gender, radicalization, and violence.
7 11
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 4d
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth doesn't like the military's “stupid rules of engagement.”

Daniel Maurer writes that this view is "dangerously limited," especially as troops are deployed to American cities.

www.justsecurity.org/122191/hegse...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s War with the Rules of Engagement
Hegseth’s attack on the ROE demonstrates a dangerously limited – and legally incorrect – view about these rules and what they are for.
www.justsecurity.org
4 27 58
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 4d
Has the Trump admin "ended 7 unendable wars,” as they claim? David J. Simon and Kathryn Hemmer write that this fundamentally misunderstands the concept of peace itself and reflects the prioritization American economic interests over sustainable peace:

www.justsecurity.org/122215/close...
A Closer Look at Trump’s Peace Deals
Under the Trump administration, peace deals have been treated as an opportunity to secure resources and real estate.
www.justsecurity.org
2 9 46
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 4d
Trump issued an order pledging to defend Qatar’s security:
- Is it binding?
- Is the pledge mutual?
- Why wasn’t Congress involved?
- What are the policy risks?

Leading treaty expert Mike Mattler (former State Dept.) analyzes these Qs and more:

www.justsecurity.org/122118/trump...
Some Questions About Trump’s Order Pledging to Defend Qatar’s Security
Trump's EO on Qatar raises a number of important legal and policy questions that merit careful consideration by Congress and the public.
www.justsecurity.org
8 17 44
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 4d
Today's news roundup:
-Trump admin seriously discussing invoking Insurrection Act: NBC
-Colombia's Petro suggests last vessel bombed by US was Colombian
-More than 54,600 children younger than 5 may be acutely malnourished in Gaza
-Comey pleads not guilty
👇
www.justsecurity.org/122250/early...
Early Edition: October 9, 2025
A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the last 24 hours.
www.justsecurity.org
1 5 19
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 5d
Daily Developments: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions

See here for the full tracker: www.justsecurity.org/107087/track...
2 7 15
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 5d
Transnational violent extremism poses a national security threat to Western countries. How those nations deal with the threat varies based on their legal authorities.

Thomas E. Brzozowski writes that all would benefit if countries coordinated their response.

www.justsecurity.org/121760/synch...
Strategic Synchronization of Sanctions and Designations Regimes
If the U.S. and foreign partners could strategically deploy their counterterrorism programs to target a common enemy, all would benefit.
www.justsecurity.org
2 10 24
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 5d
New eliminationist/genocidal rhetoric by top Russian officials against Ukraine and Ukrainians.

From Putin, Medvedev, Slutsky, Rogozin, Mironov, and more.

Follow our tracker updates:

www.justsecurity.org/81789/russia...
Russia's Eliminationist Rhetoric Against Ukraine: A Collection
Updated: Key words, phrases, and themes appear to express intent to eliminate Ukraine or Ukrainians as a nation-state, people, or culture.
www.justsecurity.org
2 16 28
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 5d
The Trump admin is might remove anti-corruption #sanctions on mining magnate Dan Gertler, write John Prendergast and Sasha Lezhnev.

The authors say the move would significantly undermine U.S. efforts to broker peace in the DRC and access critical minerals:

www.justsecurity.org/122097/drc-p...
U.S. Sanctions Removal on Mining Magnate Would Set Back Peace and Investment in DR Congo
The U.S. can help end looting, smuggling, and violent extraction of raw materials from the DRC and provide a better footing for peace.
www.justsecurity.org
5 17 30
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 5d
Today's news roundup:
-Gaza babies forced to share oxygen masks: UNICEF
-Foreign adversaries use AI tools to power hacks: OpenAI
-FBI closes corruption unit, fires agents who allegedly monitored GOP
-Prosecutors concluded witness undermines case against Comey
👇
www.justsecurity.org/122173/early...
Early Edition: October 8, 2025
A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the last 24 hours.
www.justsecurity.org
2 7 19
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 6d
Murder on the High Seas Part II: What We Know about U.S. Vessel Strikes One Month In

@tessbridgeman.bsky.social and Rachel Goldbrenner are joined by @becingber.bsky.social and @bcfinucane.bsky.social to analyze the U.S. military campaign in the Caribbean.

www.justsecurity.org/122025/podca...
The Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas Part II -- What We Know about U.S. Vessel Strikes One Month In
Tess Bridgeman and Rachel Goldbrenner are joined by Rebecca Ingber and Brian Finucane to analyze the U.S. military campaign in the Caribbean.
www.justsecurity.org
22 31
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 6d
The country of Georgia just held sham local #elections that wipe out any remaining status it had as a #democracy, writes Laura Thornton.

But Georgian democrats are determined:

www.justsecurity.org/122040/georg...
After Another Sham Election in Georgia, the Country’s Citizens Persist
Georgians will fight for their democracy. The ruling party is now one more paranoid, insecure dictatorship that knows its days are numbered.
www.justsecurity.org
9 44
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 6d
Why would Russia, the single biggest source of cybercrime, promote an international agreement against cybercrime?

Alexander Seger looks at the Hanoi Convention, which countries will begin signing later this month.

www.justsecurity.org/122000/russi...
Russian Motivations Behind the “Hanoi Convention” Against Cybercrime
Russia’s cybercrime stance reflects a broader push to assert state control over the internet, restrict dissent, and build global backing.
www.justsecurity.org
2 11 20
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 6d
Swatting attacks are sometimes dismissed as pranks or hoaxes.

But @mackenzieharms.bsky.social writes that they’ve wreaked havoc on college campuses this year. She examines the network of extremists behind many of the attacks.

www.justsecurity.org/121652/nihil...
Swatting Attacks and Nihilistic Violent Extremism: A Primer
The start of the 2025 academic year has been met with a string of swatting attacks on universities across the United States. An online group called Purgatory – part of a nihilistic violent extremist n...
www.justsecurity.org
1 26 43
justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 6d
Today's news roundup:
-Secret DOJ opinion authorizes strikes on some cartels: CNN
-Treasury Sec Bessent: SSA's Frank Bisignano will be "CEO" of IRS
-Trump "sort of made a decision" on sending Tomahawks to Kyiv
-ICC convicts Sudan militia leader of war crimes
👇
www.justsecurity.org/122055/early...
Early Edition: October 7, 2025
A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the last 24 hours.
www.justsecurity.org
2 6 20