Today's Headlines and Commentary

Following a period of increased estrangement from Palestine, the Trump administration has ordered the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization office in Washington due to the Palestinian leadership’s calls for an International Criminal Court investigation of Israel and an unwillingness to engage in Israel-Palestine peace talks, reports the Washington Post.

In the wake of controversial parliamentary elections last month, rockets fired toward American diplomatic outposts in Iraq and violent demonstrations against the Iranian consulate in Basra raised tensions as Washington and Tehran try to mould Iraq’s next government, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The CIA is broadening its covert drone operations against al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Northern Africa, which the Obama administration had scaled back, according to the New York Times.

In response to a Times report detailing secret meetings between Venezuelan officials who seek to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro and the Trump administration, Venezuelan foreign minister Jorge Arreaza accused the U.S. government of plotting a coup against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, according to the Times.

Kem Sokha, Cambodia’s jailed opposition leader, was released on bail after a year in jail on charges of working with the United States to overthrow Cambodia’s government—charges widely seen as part of an effort to eliminate him as a source of political opposition in an important election year, reports the Times.

The Post says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un excluded nuclear missiles from Sunday’s national-anniversary parade and sent a clear message of friendship to Beijing in an attempt to play off the U.S. and China and come out the winner.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s ongoing negotiations with Beijing to share oil and natural gas in the South China Sea may lead to a significant political victory for China: Successful negotiations would open the door for similar arrangements between Beijing and other nations that have thus far challenged Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea, reports the Journal.

Michèle Flournoy and Michael Sulmeyer write for Foreign Affairs that in order to ensure the security of cyberspace, the U.S. should set up a federal agency dedicated to cybersecurity.

Last Weekend on Lawfare

Bruce Jentleson assessed the four core characteristics of the liberal international order as it exists in the 21st century—and explained how after the Trump administration, it will be hard, if even possible, for the global order to return to its pre-Trump equilibrium.

Timothy Edgar analyzed Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s ruling in Klayman v. Obama and the possible implication his views may have on privacy, freedom of speech, and warrantless searches should he be elevated to the high court.

Email the Roundup Team noteworthy law and security-related articles to include, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for additional commentary on these issues. Sign up to receive Lawfare in your inbox. Visit our Events Calendar to learn about upcoming national security events, and check out relevant job openings on our Job Board.

We rely on contributions from our generous readers, and now, as a thank you, we're offering a Lawfare challenge coin! Get yours by making a donation at lawfarestore.com.