Today on Lawfare: July 2, 2025
From The Lawfare Editorial Team
Compiled by Mary Ford
Articles
Trump Is Undermining Policies Against Transnational Repression
Nate Schenkkan explained how actions taken by the Trump administration have undercut Biden-era policies to counter transnational repression (counter-TNR)—which made the protection of exiles and diasporas a priority—and analyzed areas of the counter-TNR policy space in which the damage inflicted by the administration would be felt the most.
The consequences for counter-TNR efforts will be far-reaching. The work of other governments will continue, but because of the U.S.’s leading role in promoting the issue, driving attention, and providing funding, an opportunity for significant progress is being lost.
How Ukraine Is Challenging Russia in Africa and the Middle East
David Kirichenko explored the novel diplomatic and military strategies Ukraine is using to engage Russia around the world, emphasizing Ukraine’s disruption of Russian economic and military operations across the African continent and the Middle East.
Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s fight has gone global. The frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war now extends far beyond the borders of both countries. However, involvement in foreign conflicts remains a risky endeavor, particularly in places like Sudan, where engagement with either side can damage Ukraine’s image. Participation in military operations abroad may also undermine some of Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts in Africa. Still, with a full-scale invasion ongoing, Ukraine is focused on survival—and this means weakening Russia however, and wherever, possible.
Podcasts
Lawfare Daily: Civil Military Relations in the Trump Administration: Lawfare Foreign Policy Editor Daniel Byman sat down with associate professor at the Naval War College and Columbia University, Lindsay Cohn, to take stock of the Trump administration’s handling of the U.S. military. They discussed military parades, the U.S. military presence in Los Angeles and along the U.S.-Mexico border, and more.
Video and Webinars
On July 3 at 4 pm ET, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes will sit down with Lawfare Senior Editors Anna Bower and Roger Parloff and Lawfare Legal Fellow James Pearce to discuss oral argument in the 5th Circuit regarding challenges to the Alien Enemies Act, the decision in the Susman Godfrey case, the latest on the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case, and more. Material supporters will receive a link to join the webinar to watch it without ads. It will be livestreamed on YouTube for all other viewers. Find the livestream here. If you can’t attend the live event, the recording will be available on Lawfare’s YouTube channel.
Announcements
In partnership with the University of Texas School of Law, Lawfare Senior Editor Kevin Frazier and Lawfare Research Director Alan Rozenshtein launched their new podcast series Scaling Laws, a podcast dedicated to navigating the complexities of artificial intelligence. Listen to the inaugural episode here, where they discuss the defeat in the Senate of a proposed moratorium on state and local regulation of artificial intelligence.
The Trials of the Trump Administration, our coverage of President Donald Trump’s executive actions and their legal challenges, now includes a page devoted to tracking the status of Alien Enemies Act cases in federal courts. Find the page here.
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