Donald Trump
Defending Our Country's National Security and Well-Being
John Bellinger Wed, Aug 16, 2017, 9:35 AM
Now, as ever, Americans must encourage Trump administration officials to make sound national security decisions.
John B. Bellinger III is a partner in the international and national security law practices at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington, DC. He is also Adjunct Senior Fellow in International and National Security Law at the Council on Foreign Relations. He served as The Legal Adviser for the Department of State from 2005–2009, as Senior Associate Counsel to the President and Legal Adviser to the National Security Council at the White House from 2001–2005, and as Counsel for National Security Matters in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice from 1997–2001.
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Cyber & Technology
New Cyber Initiatives from UC-Irvine's new Cybersecurity Policy & Research Institute
John Bellinger Sun, Jul 16, 2017, 11:09 AM
The University of California, Irvine’s new Cybersecurity Policy & Research Institute (CPRI), which opened last year under the directorship of Bryan Cunningham, launched several interesting new cybersecurity initiatives earlier this week, including a research project on cyberattack attribution and supply chain security; a law enforcement cyber training program; a cyber victims defense clinic, and a curriculum development effort for high school students. The press release is here.
AUMF Reform
Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- Bipartisan Support for a New AUMF?
John Bellinger Tue, Jun 20, 2017, 9:54 PM
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing today on a new Authorization to Use Military Force Against terrorist groups.
Appointments, Confirmations & Budgets
Lawfare Contributor Cully Stimson Nominated to be General Counsel of the Navy
John Bellinger Wed, Jun 7, 2017, 11:22 AM
Almost lost in the maelstrom of other news yesterday, the White House sent seventeen new Presidential nominations to the Senate, including the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division and four agency general counsels.
War Powers
President Trump's War Powers Report on the Syria Attacks
John Bellinger Sat, Apr 8, 2017, 3:08 PM
With six hours to spare before the 48-hour deadline in section 4 of the War Powers Resolution, the White House has sent the President's report to Congress on Thursday evening's missile attacks on Syria.
The text is here:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Omphalos
What Was the Legal Basis for the U.S. Air Strikes Against Syria?
John Bellinger Thu, Apr 6, 2017, 9:55 PM
What legal authority for the use of force will President Trump assert for the missile attack against Syrian forces under domestic and international law?
National Security Council (NSC)
NSPM-4: Dina Powell Added to the Principals and Deputies Committees
John Bellinger Wed, Apr 5, 2017, 3:33 PM
The changes to the National Security Council—the removal of Steve Bannon and the subordination of the Homeland Security Advisor—appear to reflect an assertion of greater management authority by President Trump’s new National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster.