Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (Sept. 2-5, 2025)
U.S. military strike / Venezuela • Afghanistan • International law / Gender violence • Northern Ireland / Accountability • Trump executive actions • United States / Foreign investment • Artificial intelligence • Climate change
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.
September Could Finally Bring Answers for Northern Ireland Families
This month, Northern Ireland’s courts may deliver long-awaited answers — and perhaps accountability — for survivors and bereaved families of the conflict from 1969 to 1998.
Featured Articles
Washington Balks While Beijing Builds: Reauthorizing the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
In the U.S.-China contest for global leadership, Congress can determine whether the DFC remains on the sidelines or becomes a central player.
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.
When Law Fails Women: Jirgas, Gender Violence, and the Collapse of International Accountability
When women are walked to their deaths with the world watching, international law must offer more than words. It must deliver protection with power.
The Experience of Time and Tyranny Under the Taliban in Afghanistan
The clock may seem to tick at the same rate for everyone, but its rhythm is felt differently under the weight of the Taliban's draconian rule.
Early Edition
September 5
A curated morning round up of news (domestic and international).
Start of business each weekday.
Resources
Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of Trump Administration Executive Actions
Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
The Anti-Corruption Tracker: Mapping the Erosion of Oversight and Accountability
Just Security’s Artificial Intelligence Archive
Collection: Iran-Israel/United States Conflict
Just Security’s Israel-Hamas War Archive
Just Security’s Climate Archive
Just Security’s Russia–Ukraine War Archive
Russia’s Eliminationist Rhetoric Against Ukraine: A Collection
Mapping State Reactions to the ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant
Translations
Community Spotlight
JS Executive Editor Rebecca Hamilton Talks Sudan on Australia’s ABC
Executive Editor Rebecca Hamilton updated Australians on the war in Sudan in an extended interview with TV Broadcaster ABC.Read More
JS Executive Editor Ní Aoláin Elected Fellow of the British Academy
JS Executive Editor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin KC (Hons) has been elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.Read More
JS Executive Editor Announced Fullbright U.S. Scholar
Congratulations to JS Executive Editor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for 2025-2026 in the Fullbright-Schuman European Union Affairs Program.Read More
JS Executive Editor Oona Hathaway named Berlin Prize recipient
Oona Hathaway is one of 20 fellows awarded the Berlin Prize by the American Academy in Berlin. She will use the fellowship to write her book, “War Unbound.”Read More
Co-editor-in-chief Speaks to Financial Times on Judicial appointees
JS co-editor-in-chief Ryan Goodman discussed friction between president Trump and conservative legal community over judicial appointees with FT’s US legal and enforcement correspondent, Stefania Palma.Read More
Co-editor-in-chief Speaks to WSJ about Immigration Policy
JS co-editor-in-chief Ryan Goodman discussed the political and legal challenges facing the Trump administration’s immigration policy with WSJ Supreme Court Correspondent Jess Bravin.Read More
JS author featured in ABA Journal
Senior writer for the ABA Journal, Debra Cassens Weiss, features Dean Erwin Chemerinsky’s article about a provision in the House budget bill that would limit federal courts’ contempt power.Read More
JS Editor Monica Bell, Professor of Law and Counselor to the Dean at Yale Law School, named 2025-2026 Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellow
Congratulations to Monica Bell, who will join the 26th class of Radcliffe fellows. Bell was chosen for her expertise in issues of inequality, violence, safety, and racial justice.Read More
JS Executive Editor Rebecca Hamilton named AU’s Scholar/Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Executive Editor Bec Hamilton, American University’s 2025 Scholar/Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes her for “immeasurably” contributing to the AU community and the field of law.Read More
JS Executive Editor Oona Hathaway named 2025 Guggenheim Fellow
Congratulations to Executive Editor Oona Hathaway, who will join the 100th class of Guggenheim Fellows. She was tapped based on “prior career achievement and exceptional promise.”Read More
JS AIET Director and Senior Fellow Brianna Rosen at Qatar-UK AI Symposium
Just Security’s Director for AI & Emerging Technologies Dr. Brianna Rosen chaired a panel on AI diplomacy and defence at the Qatar-UK AI Symposium in London.Read More
Co-editor-in-chief speaks to Washington Post about “Signal Gate”
JS co-editor-in-chief Ryan Goodman discussed the legal implications, and told the Post his fears for downstream effects. Read Goodman’s analysis of criminal law precedents relevant to Signal Gate.Read More
Executive Editor Hamilton on PRX The World re South Sudan
JS Executive Editor Rebecca Hamilton spoke to The World’s Carolyn Beeler about the U.S. State Department’s revocation of visas for all South Sudanese nationals.Read More
Executive Editor wins ASIL Certificate of Merit for OUP-JS book
Just Security Executive Editor Matiangai Sirleaf wins American Society of International Law’s Certificate of Merit book award for high technical craftsmanship and utility to lawyers and scholars.Read More
Executive Editor Oona Hathaway nominated President-elect of ASIL
Executive Editor Oona Hathaway nominated to serve as President-elect of the American Society of International Law. The organization is home to over 3000 international law scholars and practitioners.Read More
Senior Fellow Tom Joscelyn interview on New Orleans attack
Without knowing the person responsible, “the first thing I thought of was there was a spate of similar attacks in 2016 and 2017″ inspired by ISIS, Joscelyn told CBC.Read More
JS Executive Editor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin Interviewed in The Washington Post
Washington Post correspondent Greg Miller interviewed JS Executive Editor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin on the abuse of counterterrorism frameworks by backsliding democracies and authoritarian regimes around the world.Read More
Just Security article on Guantanamo plea deals cited in Senate Judiciary Committee letter to Secretary of Defense Austin
Scott Roehm and Ian Moss’s article informed Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Senator Durbin’s letter to the Secretary of Defense calling for “judicial finality for the victims” of 9/11 and their families.Read More
JS Editor Brian Finucane Featured on NPR
NPR host Leila Fadel interviewed Brian Finucane, Member of Just Security’s Board of Editors, about whether Israel’s use of exploding pagers and other devices in Lebanon violated international humanitarian law.Read More
Video explainer for WSJ of SCOTUS immunity decision by our co-editor-in-chief
With the Wall Street Journal, Ryan Goodman helped break down the Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. United States.Read More