Ashley Deeks, a Lawfare contributing editor and University of Virginia law professor, joins in a lively discussion about recent national security developments. They dive into President Trump's unexpected military support for Israel against Iran, analyzing the legal and political implications of the actions taken. The team humorously unpacks the chaotic U.S.-Israel relations, explores the Supreme Court's recent immigration rulings, and reflects on the ethical dimensions of deportation processes, all while weaving in personal anecdotes for a lighter touch.
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Ben Wittes' Wyoming Wildlife Trip
Benjamin Wittes shared stories and photos from his Wyoming vacation featuring wildlife such as moose and pronghorns.
The pronghorn is the second fastest land mammal and oddly fearless around humans, grazing nearby without much concern.
insights INSIGHT
Legal Basis for Iran Strikes
The Trump administration announced strikes on Iranian nuclear sites citing collective self-defense of Israel under international law.
This included action under the president's Article II authority domestically without invoking authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs).
insights INSIGHT
International Law Arguments
The administration justified the strikes as necessary, proportionate, and consistent with international law, focusing on collective self-defense.
The idea of preemptive self-defense was also debated internally despite its controversial status in international law.
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This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Benjamin Wittes and Natalie Orpett, and University of Virginia School of Law professor Ashley Deeks, to talk through the week’s big national security news, including:
“Bracing for Fallout.” In a surprise move, President Trump joined Israel’s military campaign against Iran over the weekend, using a specialized U.S. ordinance to hit Iranian nuclear sites that were beyond Israel’s early reach. It’s unclear to what extent the attack set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and debates continue to rage whether the president’s actions were wise or legal. But it did trigger an Iranian response against U.S. military bases in the Persian Gulf — action that was shortly followed by a tentative U.S.-backed ceasefire between Iran and Israel. What best explains the president’s decision to join the military campaign? And what will the consequences be, both in the region and back home in the United States?
“Destinations Unknown.” In a short, unexplained opinion in the matter of DHS v. DVD this past week, the Supreme Court stayed a lower court preliminary injunction that had barred the Trump administration from removing immigrants to third countries with minimal procedural protections against threats of torture and other mistreatment. But the exact ramifications of this holding are unclear, as the Justice Department has now returned to the Court asking for clarification as to whether its ruling also invalidates a later order applying the class-wide prohibition in the initial preliminary injunction to a specific group of individuals. What explains the Supreme Court’s odd approach in this case? And what could its broader ramifications be for the Trump administration’s immigration agenda?
“‘Bove the Law.” A now-public internal Justice Department whistleblower report alleges that Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General—and current Third Circuit nominee—Emil Bove endorsed plans to disregard judicial orders that would have obstructed the removal of foreign nationals in directing the Department of Homeland Security that it did not need to return certain deportation flights already in the air after a judge directed as much from the bench. How serious a transgression has Bove committed if these allegations are true? And what impact will they have on his Third Circuit confirmation?
In object lessons, forget day-of-the-week underpants (or pronghorn shirts)! Ben spurs on a need for more day-of-the-week monsters with the last weather report you’ll ever need. Natalie is escaping, not just from reality but also from the heat, with her local bookstore, East City Bookshop. Scott shared the heartbreaking news that The Atlantic is stealing yet another Rational Security co-host emeritus as our beloved Quinta Jurecic begins her next crazy venture beneath the skies (Quinta, we miss you already!). And Ashley, channeling our bereavement at Quinta’s departure, recommends Alone on the History Channel.
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