Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ashley Deeks
Lawfare Daily: The New Command Economy with Kristen Eichensehr and Ashley Deeks
Over the past decade, the U.S. has expanded its use of measures including tariffs, sanctions, export controls, and investment screening to regulate the economy in the name of national security. It has also embraced new ones such as government-owned equity stakes in private companies and new stockpiles of critical materials.
Electrostates, Petrostates, and National Security
News headlines regularly announce that China has made a wise choice in pursuing clean energy technologies and weaning itself off oil and gas—a trend that has only accelerated with the U.S.-Iran war. These headlines, which emphasize China’s limited exposure to the greatly diminished supply of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, are true.
DHS’s Revolving Door: The Need for Experienced Leadership in Dangerous Times
The replacement of a Secretary of Homeland Security should be a moment for reflection and represent an opportunity for improvement. Instead, it has become routine. Kristi Noem is out. Another person, Markwayne Mullin, will now follow. And the country will largely move on as if nothing has happened. And the routineness of this is exactly the problem.
Ban Pay-to-Play National Security Approvals
Editor’s note: This article is cross-posted at Just Security. In late December, in what seemed like the end of a five-year saga, TikTok agreed to spin off its U.S. operations to a group of investors. Oracle, Silver Lake, and an investment firm from Abu Dhabi called MGX would control approximately 45 percent of the new entity, and the new U.S. company, TikTok USDS Joint Venture (with a mostly American board), would retrain the U.S. TikTok algorithm and establish content moderation rules.
Self-Preservation and the Erosion of International Law
The events currently unfolding in Iran and across the region have sparked lively debates among international lawyers regarding the lawfulness and legitimacy of “Operation Epic Fury” and its aftermath. In a recent Just Security article, Yuval Shany and Amichai Cohen suggested those events may signal a resurgence of a right to self-preservation understood as overriding the constraints of positive international law.
Lawfare Daily: Entrepreneurial Federalism and the New National Security, with Ashley Deeks and Kristen Eichensehr
On today's episode, Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson sits down with Lawfare Contributing Editor Professor Ashley Deeks of the University of Virginia School of Law and Professor Kristen Eichensehr of Harvard Law School to discuss their recent article entitled, "Federalism and the New National Security," recently published in the Harvard Law Review.
Federalism and the New National Security
The United States has entered a new era of national security, one defined by the return of great power competition with China and Russia. Across presidential administrations, the federal government has turned away from the heady rhetoric of globalization and the post-9/11 focus on terrorism.
Congress as International Law Defender?
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With Many people are unaccustomed to thinking about Congress as a key player when it comes to foreign policy or international law outside of Congress’s few clearly established roles, such as providing advice and consent to treaty ratification or defining and punishing violations of the law of nations.
Snowden in Deutschland?
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With Word has it that Edward Snowden might be willing to travel to Germany to testify to a public prosecutor or an investigating committee of the German parliament that is looking into mass surveillance. How risky would that be, both for Snowden and for the U.S.-German relationship, including extradition relations? Quite challenging for both, it would seem.
Lawfare Daily: The Double Black Box: Ashley Deeks on National Security AI
Lawfare Senior Editor Alan Rozenshtein sits down with Ashley Deeks, the Class of 1948 Professor of Scholarly Research in Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, to discuss her new book, “The Double Black Box: National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and the Struggle for Democratic Accountability.” They talk about the core metaphor of the book: the idea that the use of artificial intelligence in the national security space creates a "double black box." The first box is the...
Rational Security: The “Pronghorn Shirt Daily” Edition
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With 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...
Regulating Foreign Surveillance Through International Law
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With This Friday, the U.N. Human Rights Council will hold a session to discuss the right to privacy in the digital age.
The Power of Co-Party Influence on IHL Compliance
The Power of Co-Party Influence on IHL Compliance – EJIL: Talk!
Are Domestic Drone Shoot-Downs Lawful?
Between November and December 2024, news articles reported widespread incidents of small- and medium-sized drones flying across northeastern U.S. states. As of mid-December, the federal government had received more than 5,000 reports of drone sightings. The Department of Defense and other federal authorities fielded questions about the reports from both Congress and the public, prompting investigations.
The Double Black Box: National Security, Artificial Intelligence, and the Struggle for Democratic Accountability
This book addresses a pressing challenge posed by artificial intelligence: its use may weaken democratic accountability for consequential U.S. national security choices, including war. To ensure that those choices adhere to the public law values of rationality, legality, and accountability, we rely on Congress and the courts, as well as foreign allies, whistleblowers, and even U.S. technology companies.
The United States needs more disagreement on national security policy Original
Skip to content In this time of deep partisan divisions, it is tempting to celebrate rare areas of bipartisan consensus. U.S. policy on countering China is the most significant example. But policies born of too much agreement, and too little dissent, bring their own risks. These moments of overwhelming unanimity can escalate conflict, prompt foreign governments to undercut U.S. national security, and result in unlawful targeting of domestic groups seen as linked to foreign adversaries.
Frictionless Government and the National Security Constitution
Editor’s note: This article is part of the Just Security Symposium on Harold Hongju Koh’s “The National Security Constitution in the 21st Century”.
UVA Law: Using Artificial Intelligence in Warfare Creates Constitutional Concerns, Argues Professor
In New Paper, Professor Ashley Deeks Examines Risks of Machines Initiating War War could unfold so rapidly in the future that nations may need to rely on machines and artificial intelligence to make split-second decisions to repel or carry out attacks. In her paper, Deeks urges Congress to create laws ensuring strong oversight to minimize risks associated with the use of AI in the resort to force.
The Double Black Box: AI Inside the National Security Ecosystem
At the heart of national security decisions lies a paradox: these decisions are among the most consequential a government can make, but often the least transparent and democratic. The “black box” of national security decision-making — driven by extensive classification and characterized by real difficulty overseeing executive actions — has expanded in the United States as executive power continues to grow.
Take a Summer Road Trip Through Local ‘Landmarks’ in Law
Road trips are a quintessential part of summer — why not learn something along the way? Professors at the University of Virginia School of Law recommend landmarks to visit in Virginia and Washington, D.C., that are connected to landmarks in law. The seven destinations include stops in Charlottesville, Norfolk and Georgetown — see the map for a possible route. Stop 1: Gregory Hayes Swanson v.
Lawfare Daily: Ashley Deeks and Mark Klamberg on AI and National Security
Ashley Deeks, Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, and Dr. Mark Klamberg, Professor at Stockholm University, Visiting Professor at American University, and Fellow with the Atlantic Council, join Lawfare's Tarbell Fellow Kevin Frazier and Senior Editor Alan Rozenshtein to discuss the weaponization of AI.
Australian Journal of International Affairs
Choose new content alerts to be informed about new research of interest to you Easy remote access to your institution's subscriptions on any device, from any location Have an account? Login now Don't have an account?
What Should the Biden Administration Do With REPO?
After two years of debate in Congress and the broader world over forfeiting the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank for the benefit of Ukraine, President Biden on April 24 signed into law the REPO Act, which bestows this authority on him. As Ingrid Brunk has written, the administration now has the option to take the money frozen in the United States and give it to Ukraine to pay for its recovery from Russia’s manifestly illegal war. But a number of legal and policy questions remain.
Examining the wrinkles of the Russian assets set-off plan
Deeks, Gulati and Stephan are on the law faculty of the University of Virginia.
The Lawfare Podcast: Year-End Event, Part Two: A Conversation with the Lawfare Team
It's part two of our Lawfare year-end event. Yesterday, we brought you the headliner conversation with Adam Kinzinger. Today, it's three panels of Lawfare insiders talking about the year to come and the year that's passed. We did a panel on democracy, the Trump trials, and related matters. We did a panel on cybersecurity, cyber defense, and AI. And of course, we did a panel on foreign policy and the various crises that are overtaking American foreign policy.
Using Force Against Mexican Drug Cartels: Domestic and International Law Issues
Over the past year, a range of presidential candidates and members of Congress have argued that the United States might benefit from conducting military strikes in Mexico against Mexican drug cartels and drug labs.
Too Much Too Soon: China, the U.S., and Autonomy in Nuclear Command and Control
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With News reports leading up to the meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November indicated that the United States sought to reach an agreement to keep autonomy out of nuclear command-and-control systems (C2)—or at least set up a formal dialogue on the issue.
Regulating National Security AI Like Covert Action?
Congress is trying to roll up its sleeves and get to work on artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. In June, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) launched a framework to regulate AI, a plan that offered high-level objectives and plans to convene nine panels to discuss hard questions, but no specific legislative language. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) has advocated for a new federal agency to regulate AI. With others, Rep.
Can Congress Bar Fully Autonomous Nuclear Command and Control?
Sens. Edward Markey, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, and Bernie Sanders recently released a draft bill to safeguard nuclear command and control from future policy changes that might allow an artificial intelligence (AI) system to make nuclear launch decisions.
Can Congress Bar Fully Autonomous Nuclear Command and Control?
Sens. Edward Markey, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, and Bernie Sanders recently released a draft bill to safeguard nuclear command and control from future policy changes that might allow an artificial intelligence (AI) system to make nuclear launch decisions.
Who's Tackling Classified AI?
On April 8, the Washington Post reported that members of Congress have “vowed to tackle AI.” The article describes the anxiety that is growing among lawmakers as they try to get a handle on what recent advances in AI portend. “Something is coming. We aren’t ready,” Senator Murphy tweeted. It will be good news if members of Congress are able to get smarter about what AI tools are, what they can and can’t do, and what good and bad uses of AI will realistically look like.
Who's Tackling Classified AI?
On April 8, the Washington Post reported that members of Congress have “vowed to tackle AI.” The article describes the anxiety that is growing among lawmakers as they try to get a handle on what recent advances in artificial intelligence portend. “Something is coming. We aren’t ready,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) tweeted.
The Lawfare Podcast: Ashley Deeks on International Regulation of National Security AI
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With States are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence systems to enhance their national security decision-making. The real risks that states will deploy unlawful or unreliable national security AI make international regulations seem appealing, but what's the right model for them? Ashley Deeks is the Class of 1948 Professor of Scholarly Research in Law at the University of Virginia Law School.
National Security AI and the Hurdles to International Regulation
States are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence systems to enhance their national security decision-making. The real risks that states will deploy unlawful or unreliable national security AI (NSAI) make international regulations seem appealing, but approaches built on nuclear analogies are deeply flawed.
National Security AI and the Hurdles to International Regulation
States are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence systems to enhance their national security decision-making. The real risks that states will deploy unlawful or unreliable national security AI (NSAI) make international regulations seem appealing, but approaches built on nuclear analogies are deeply flawed. Instead, and as I argue in this paper, regulation of NSAI is more likely to follow the path of hostile cyber operations (HCOs).
Commentary: US drone downing in Russian jet encounter raises questions of lawfulness on both ends
Trending Topics CNA Explains China ChatGPT Malaysia Ukraine invasion Climate change COVID-19 Budget 2023 Wellness Snap Insight Russia Commentary It would not matter from the perspective of international law whether the United States was using the MQ-9 drone to spy on military activities inside Russia, says this law professor.
Downing of US drone in Russian jet encounter prompts counterclaims of violations in the sky - an international law expert explores the arguments
The details are disputed, but either way the result was the same: On March 14, 2023, a U.S. drone crashed into the Black Sea after an encounter with Russian aircraft. According to the U.S. version of events, the unarmed MQ-9 surveillance drone was flying in international airspace when two Russian fighter jets dumped fuel on the drone before colliding with it in violation of international law. The Russian Defense Ministry denied that its aircraft made contact with the U.S. drone.
Downing of US drone in Russian jet encounter prompts counter claims of violations in the sky - an international law expert explores the arguments
© 2023 Tolerance.ca ® Inc. All reproduction rights reserved. All information reproduced on the Web pages of www.tolerance.ca (including articles, images, photographs, and logos) is protected by intellectual property rights owned by Tolerance.ca ® Inc. or, in certain cases, by its author. Any reproduction of the information for use other than personal use is prohibited.
Downing of US drone in Russian jet encounter prompts counter claims of violations in the sky - an international law expert explores the arguments
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) kAmW%wt r~}'t#$p%x~}X %96 56E2:=D 2C6 5:DAFE65[ 3FE 6:E96C H2J E96 C6DF=E H2D E96 D2>6i ~? |2C49 `c[ a_ab[ 2 &]$] 5C@?6 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]334]4@>^?6HD^H@C=5\6FC@A6\echdffhaQm4C2D965 :?E@ E96 q=24< $62k^2m 27E6C 2? 6?4@F?E6C H:E9 #FDD:2? 2:C4C27E]k^Am kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ E96 &]$] G6CD:@? @7 6G6?ED[ E96 F?2C>65 |"\h DFCG6:==2?46 5C@?6 H2D 7=J:?8 :? :?E6C?2E:@?2= 2:CDA246 H96? EH@ #FDD:2?
Downing of US drone in Russian jet encounter prompts counterclaims of violations in the sky - an international law expert explores the arguments
U.S. Navy/Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe The details are disputed, but either way the result was the same: On March 14, 2023, a U.S. drone crashed into the Black Sea after an encounter with Russian aircraft. According to the U.S. version of events, the unarmed MQ-9 surveillance drone was flying in international airspace when two Russian fighter jets dumped fuel on the drone before colliding with it in violation of international law.
Can Tech Companies and Local Governments Mitigate Abuses of Government Secrecy?
The 2020 election brought into sharp relief the critical role that technology companies and local governments play in securing elections and minimizing disinformation about voting. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA’s) #Protect2020Strategic Planrecognized that state and local election officials “are on the front lines” of election security, and it identified media and social media companies as key partners.
Can Tech Companies and Local Governments Mitigate Abuses of Government Secrecy?
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With The 2020 election brought into sharp relief the critical role that technology companies and local governments play in securing elections and minimizing disinformation about voting. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA’s) #Protect2020Strategic Planrecognized that state and local election officials “are on the front lines” of election security, and it identified media and social media companies as key partners.
"Cyber Autonomy and Democratic Accountability" by Ashley Deeks
Home > USNWC-JOURNALS > ILS > Vol. 96 (2020) Abstract In recent years, legislative bodies such as the U.S. Congress and the U.K. Parliament have struggled to maintain a role for themselves in government decisions to conduct military operations against foreign adversaries.
The Lawfare Podcast: Congress's Control Over the Military
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With In recent years, Congress has taken unprecedented steps to push back against the Trump administration's efforts to pull U.S. troops from certain long-standing deployments overseas.
The Importance of Giving Reasons (Even in Secret)
News broke on Aug. 29 that the director of national intelligence has decided to curtail in-person briefings to Congress about election security. Instead, reporting indicates that intelligence officials will only provide updates to Congress in writing. The decision is troubling, but various members of Congress have reassuringly begun to push back. After all, requiring executive branch officials to give reasons for their analyses and decisions is a critical way to check the executive branch.
The Importance of Giving Reasons (Even in Secret)
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With News broke on Aug. 29 that the director of national intelligence has decided to curtail in-person briefings to Congress about election security. Instead, reporting indicates that intelligence officials will only provide updates to Congress in writing. The decision is troubling, but various members of Congress have reassuringly begun to push back.
What Could International Lawyers Do With High-Tech Tools?
It is a given that China is deeply committed to becoming the world leader in artificial intelligence (AI). News reports highlight a range of ways that China is deploying AI for purposes of domestic social control, including in ways that liberal democracies should find disturbing.
What Could International Lawyers Do With High-Tech Tools?
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With It is a given that China is deeply committed to becoming the world leader in artificial intelligence (AI). News reports highlight a range of ways that China is deploying AI for purposes of domestic social control, including in ways that liberal democracies should find disturbing.
Defend Forward and Cyber Countermeasures
When a state suffers an internationally wrongful act at the hands of another state, international law allows the injured state to respond in a variety of ways. Depending on the nature, scope, and severity of the initial wrongful act, lawful responses can range from a demand for reparations in response to a low-level violation to a forcible act of self-defense in response to an armed attack. Countermeasures offer an additional way for a state to respond to an internationally wrongful act.
Defend Forward and Cyber Countermeasures
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With When a state suffers an internationally wrongful act at the hands of another state, international law allows the injured state to respond in a variety of ways. Depending on the nature, scope, and severity of the initial wrongful act, lawful responses can range from a demand for reparations in response to a low-level violation to a forcible act of self-defense in response to an armed attack.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ashley
Contact Ashley, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack