Brookings: Topics - U.S. Department of Justice

Prosecuting Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in Federal Court

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:29:00 GMT

The decision to prosecute alleged 9/11 master-mind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators in a civil trial in the Southern District of New York sparks debate on how to best try terrorism suspects. Benjamin Wittes offers his views on the significance of trying terror detainees in the U.S. civilian judicial system.

Detainee Abuse Reviewed

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:48:41 GMT

Attorney General Eric Holder appointed a special prosecutor to investigate CIA operatives’ alleged abuse of terrorism detainees. Benjamin Wittes says officials from both parties question the reach of the inquest, but that Holder has acted entirely appropriately.

Seeking Fair and Effective Administration of Immigration Laws

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Obama administration announced plans to restructure how immigrants—most of whom have no criminal records—are detained. Immigration presents courts and administrative agencies tremendous challenges due to a lack of consensus and resources for total enforcement of laws governing entry to and status in the country. Russell Wheeler has explained why crafting better policies for institutions most responsible for enforcing the laws fairly should be part of the broader immigration reform effort.

Refining Immigration Law’s Role in Counterterrorism

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The federal government relied heavily on immigration laws in its immediate response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, largely because they were available, flexible, and could be directed toward targets deemed immediate and urgent. In a Brookings paper, David Martin suggests how to refine immigration law’s role in counterterrorism, which have clouded a traditional American stance of openness and welcome that has been valuable to diplomacy, business and the successful integration of immigrant populations.

The Current Detainee Population of Guantánamo: An Empirical Study

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On January 22, 2009, President Obama signed an executive order to close down the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Benjamin Wittes and his colleagues identify and describe, in as much detail as the public record will permit, the current population of detainees at Guantánamo, what the government alleges about them and what they claim about their own affiliations and conduct.

Nuts and Deadbolts: A Blueprint for the Closure of Guantanamo Bay

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Congress has voted overwhelmingly to block the $80 million President Obama requested to close the Guantanamo Bay prison. On May 21, the president gave a national security address to discuss in greater detail his plan for closing Guantanamo. Brookings expert Ben Wittes offers a checklist of important decisions the president must make before he can shutter the detention camp.

A New American Realism

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Carlos Pascual writes that President-elect Obama’s choice of a national security team reflects seriousness, pragmatism and bipartisanship. Pascual believes the selections indicate Obama will take a twenty-first-century view toward national security: energy, power, economics, human rights, terrorism and poverty must be part of the agenda.

Wrenching Choices on Guantanamo

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President-elect Obama has reiterated his campaign promise to close Guantanamo Bay. As Benjamin Wittes writes, the incoming administration must create a systematic and rigorous review of the detainee population, whose handling will require wrenching choices with no easy answers.

Strategic Counterterrorism

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Terrorism is a real and urgent threat to the U.S. and its interests; a threat that could become far more dangerous if terrorists acquire nuclear or biological weapons. Daniel Benjamin explores the drawbacks of using military force in combating terrorism and elaborates on the need for a positive agenda for the Muslim world -- one that deepens U.S. engagement in Muslim nations as they seek to modernize.

Prevent Federal Court Nomination Battles: De-Escalating the Conflict over the Judiciary

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Infected by polarization, confirmation rates for federal judges have plummeted and long delays are commonplace. Brookings’s Russell Wheeler recommends that the next president should create a bipartisan commission and set a timetable to prevent the lengthy nomination battles.

A Legal Framework for Detaining Terrorists: Enact a Law to End the Clash over Rights

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A core challenge facing the next president in the war on terror is developing a legal framework for detaining terrorists. Brookings’s experts Benjamin Wittes and Mark Gitenstein offer recommendations that balance basic protections for detainees with regularized judicial review.

Slowing the Growth of Health Spending: We Need Mixed Strategies, and We Need to Start Now

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Americans are deeply concerned about paying their mounting bills for health care. This is true whether they have public (Medicare or Medicaid) or private insurance. And it’s certainly true for the 46 million people with no insurance at all. At the same time, the federal government’s health spending is clearly unsustainable. If current commitments are kept, other government services will have to be slashed or taxes increased drastically just to pay for Medicare and Medicaid.

Reforming U.S. Immigration Policy: Open New Pathways to Integration

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Roughly 12 million people reside illegally in the United States. More are joining the workforce, and nearly half of these households have children. As presidential candidates debate solutions, Audrey Singer offers ideas for reform.