In the Common Defense: National Security Law for Perilous Times

The United States faces the realistic and indefinite threat of terrorist attack with nuclear weapons. Whether the United States is successful in preventing such an attack will depend on whether we effectively wield the instruments of security. It will also depend on whether we effectively manage national security processes and apply the law in a manner that both enhances security and upholds our core values. As a result, lawyers, not just presidents, generals, and spies, will decide the outcome of this conflict. This book is essential for anyone wanting a understanding of national security law and process. The book includes chapters on constitutional law, the use of force, and homeland security, presented in the context of today's threats and as applied to issues like rendition and electronic surveillance. Emphasis is placed on national security process and intelligence, as well as the role of the layer. Written in a style accessible to both the general reader and the specialist, the book offers an inside look at the practice of national security law from the perspective of the president's national security lawyer.