International Law
Is the U.N. Charter Law?
Jack Goldsmith Mon, Apr 16, 2018, 11:57 AM
What debates about the meaning and efficacy of the U.N. Charter might tell us about international law—and constitutional law.
Latest in War Powers
International Law
The Trump Administration Should Do More to Explain the Legal Basis for the Syrian Airstrikes
John Bellinger Sat, Apr 14, 2018, 4:46 PM
When the United States uses military force, especially under controversial circumstances, it should explain the legal basis for its actions.
War Powers
Bad Legal Arguments for the Syria Airstrikes
Jack Goldsmith, Oona Hathaway Sat, Apr 14, 2018, 1:54 PM
There is no apparent domestic or international legal authority for the airstrikes conducted in Syria on April 14.
Executive Power
Transcript: President Trump's Remarks on Syria Airstrikes
Quinta Jurecic Fri, Apr 13, 2018, 9:55 PM
Below is a transcript of President Trump's remarks announcing airstrikes in Syria this evening. The government has also released an assessment of the use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, also included below.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release April 13, 2018
International Law
The Downsides of Bombing Syria
Jack Goldsmith, Oona Hathaway Tue, Apr 10, 2018, 2:59 PM
Airstrikes raise serious legal and practical concerns.
War Powers
How Congress Should Respond to the White House’s Failures on Syria Transparency
Allison Murphy, Ariela Rosenberg Fri, Mar 23, 2018, 9:30 AM
The Trump administration has fallen short in meeting Congress’s demands for transparency on the legal basis for its actions in Syria, despite relevant legal requirements. It’s time for Congress to step up its oversight efforts.
War Powers
Document: White House Legal and Policy Frameworks for Use of Military Force
Matthew Kahn Wed, Mar 14, 2018, 9:01 PM
The New York Times has published the White House's unclassified "Report on the Legal and Policy Frameworks Guiding the United States' Use of Military Force for National Security Operations." As Scott Anderson and Alison Murphy noted earlier today on Lawfare, the report notes a previously undisclosed military encounter between U.S. forces and forces associated with the Islamic State on Dec. 6 of last year.
War Powers
We Read the New War Powers Report So You Don't Have To
Allison Murphy, Scott R. Anderson Wed, Mar 14, 2018, 5:37 PM
The Trump administration has given Congress—and only Congress—an important new war powers report. We tracked it down in hard copy to have a look.
Yemen
Putting the Yemen Resolution in Procedural Context
Scott R. Anderson, Molly E. Reynolds Fri, Mar 9, 2018, 2:02 PM
A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a joint resolution to compel the Trump administration to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen. This deep dive explains how the resolution's procedural context within Congress should shape understanding of the proposal.
Executive Power
Summary: Lawsuit to Release the Legal Justification of Syria Airstrikes
Chris Mirasola Wed, Feb 14, 2018, 3:53 PM
Nearly one year after the Trump administration's April 2017 strike in Syria, Protect Democracy is still suing for public release of the legal justification behind the strike.