Brian Finucane
@bcfinucane.bsky.social
Senior Adviser, US Program, International Crisis Group. Editor at Just Security. Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Reiss Center on Law and Security at NYU Law. Ex State Dept Lawyer. War Powers| Use of Force| Counterterrorism| Law of War| War Crimes| Arms Sales
Pinned
Brian Finucane
@bcfinucane.bsky.social
· Sep 19
Asserting a License to Kill: Why the Caribbean Strike is a Dangerous Departure from the “War on Terror”
An absence of credible legal basis for the Caribbean strike suggests the Trump admin is asserting a prerogative to kill outside the law.
www.justsecurity.org
My analysis in @justsecurity.org on Trump's asserted license to kill. 2/n
www.justsecurity.org/120568/carib...
www.justsecurity.org/120568/carib...
Reposted by Brian Finucane
Pleased to speak with @ellenwapo.bsky.social.
As I told her, calling the invasion of Venezuela a law enforcement operation doesn’t make it legal.
“It’s still an unlawful use of force against another state under international law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
As I told her, calling the invasion of Venezuela a law enforcement operation doesn’t make it legal.
“It’s still an unlawful use of force against another state under international law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Audacious Maduro raid relied on months of preparation, surprise strike
Under cover of darkness, highly trained Delta Force troops arrived by helicopter and descended into a compound to grab the Venezuelan president and his wife.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Pleased to speak with @ellenwapo.bsky.social.
As I told her, calling the invasion of Venezuela a law enforcement operation doesn’t make it legal.
“It’s still an unlawful use of force against another state under international law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
As I told her, calling the invasion of Venezuela a law enforcement operation doesn’t make it legal.
“It’s still an unlawful use of force against another state under international law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
An attempt by the administration to try to justify its military intervention in Venezuela by relying on the consent/invitation of other “legitimate” VZ authorities would be controversial to say the least.
But they aren’t even trying that, with POTUS throwing the VZ opposition leader under the bus.
But they aren’t even trying that, with POTUS throwing the VZ opposition leader under the bus.
January 4, 2026 at 1:47 PM
An attempt by the administration to try to justify its military intervention in Venezuela by relying on the consent/invitation of other “legitimate” VZ authorities would be controversial to say the least.
But they aren’t even trying that, with POTUS throwing the VZ opposition leader under the bus.
But they aren’t even trying that, with POTUS throwing the VZ opposition leader under the bus.
POTUS declaring that “we’re going to run” Venezuela.
a man sitting at a desk with a box of boise paper in front of him
ALT: a man sitting at a desk with a box of boise paper in front of him
media.tenor.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:46 PM
POTUS declaring that “we’re going to run” Venezuela.
Reposted by Brian Finucane
Anyone heard from her recently?
Wonder if the DNI has thoughts on a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela?
January 3, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Anyone heard from her recently?
Reposted by Brian Finucane
Pleased to speak with @charliesavage.bsky.social about how the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela breaches the UN Charter and the Take Care Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Legal Issues Raised by Trump’s Seizure of Maduro, Explained
The operation revives disputes over the legality of the 1989 Panama intervention, enhanced by President Trump’s vow to “run” Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro’s formal status as president.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/u...
The operation revives disputes over the legality of the 1989 Panama intervention, enhanced by President Trump’s vow to “run” Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro’s formal status as president.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/u...
Legal Issues Raised by Trump’s Seizure of Maduro, Explained
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Pleased to speak with @charliesavage.bsky.social about how the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela breaches the UN Charter and the Take Care Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The Trump administration reportedly invoked a 1989 DOJ opinion holding that POTUS can “override” the UN Charter to justify the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
I dissect and refute that 1989 legal opinion in this law review article.
publications.lawschool.cornell.edu/lawreview/20...
I dissect and refute that 1989 legal opinion in this law review article.
publications.lawschool.cornell.edu/lawreview/20...
Presidential War Powers, The Take Care, and Article 2(4) of the U.N. Charter – Cornell Law Review
publications.lawschool.cornell.edu
January 4, 2026 at 11:31 AM
The Trump administration reportedly invoked a 1989 DOJ opinion holding that POTUS can “override” the UN Charter to justify the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
I dissect and refute that 1989 legal opinion in this law review article.
publications.lawschool.cornell.edu/lawreview/20...
I dissect and refute that 1989 legal opinion in this law review article.
publications.lawschool.cornell.edu/lawreview/20...
Pleased to speak with Al Jazeera yesterday about the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
January 4, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Pleased to speak with Al Jazeera yesterday about the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
From March:
“In short, the United States behaving as a predatory hegemon unconstrained by the UN Charter and threatening other states with territorial conquest may spur more countries to acquire their own atomic insurance policies.”
www.justsecurity.org/109537/upend...
“In short, the United States behaving as a predatory hegemon unconstrained by the UN Charter and threatening other states with territorial conquest may spur more countries to acquire their own atomic insurance policies.”
www.justsecurity.org/109537/upend...
Upending the International Order
Through both word and deed, President Trump has been aggressively undermining the rule of law internationally.
www.justsecurity.org
January 4, 2026 at 3:19 AM
From March:
“In short, the United States behaving as a predatory hegemon unconstrained by the UN Charter and threatening other states with territorial conquest may spur more countries to acquire their own atomic insurance policies.”
www.justsecurity.org/109537/upend...
“In short, the United States behaving as a predatory hegemon unconstrained by the UN Charter and threatening other states with territorial conquest may spur more countries to acquire their own atomic insurance policies.”
www.justsecurity.org/109537/upend...
Reposted by Brian Finucane
Will the plan to run Venezuela be unveiled before or after the administration’s healthcare plan?
January 4, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Will the plan to run Venezuela be unveiled before or after the administration’s healthcare plan?
Were they included in the Signal chat?
(Semafor) - The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin Friday night — but held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops ..
@semafor.com
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
@semafor.com
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
January 4, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Were they included in the Signal chat?
There are good reasons why the U.S. Constitution doesn’t leave the decision over going to war to the whims of one man.
January 4, 2026 at 1:40 AM
There are good reasons why the U.S. Constitution doesn’t leave the decision over going to war to the whims of one man.
Good discussion here with @oonahathaway.bsky.social.
January 4, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Good discussion here with @oonahathaway.bsky.social.
Pleased to speak with @ellenwapo.bsky.social.
As I told her, calling the invasion of Venezuela a law enforcement operation doesn’t make it legal.
“It’s still an unlawful use of force against another state under international law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
As I told her, calling the invasion of Venezuela a law enforcement operation doesn’t make it legal.
“It’s still an unlawful use of force against another state under international law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Audacious Maduro raid relied on months of preparation, surprise strike
Under cover of darkness, highly trained Delta Force troops arrived by helicopter and descended into a compound to grab the Venezuelan president and his wife.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Pleased to speak with @ellenwapo.bsky.social.
As I told her, calling the invasion of Venezuela a law enforcement operation doesn’t make it legal.
“It’s still an unlawful use of force against another state under international law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
As I told her, calling the invasion of Venezuela a law enforcement operation doesn’t make it legal.
“It’s still an unlawful use of force against another state under international law.”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Pleased to speak with @charliesavage.bsky.social about how the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela breaches the UN Charter and the Take Care Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Legal Issues Raised by Trump’s Seizure of Maduro, Explained
The operation revives disputes over the legality of the 1989 Panama intervention, enhanced by President Trump’s vow to “run” Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro’s formal status as president.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/u...
The operation revives disputes over the legality of the 1989 Panama intervention, enhanced by President Trump’s vow to “run” Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro’s formal status as president.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/u...
Legal Issues Raised by Trump’s Seizure of Maduro, Explained
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Pleased to speak with @charliesavage.bsky.social about how the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela breaches the UN Charter and the Take Care Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Looks like we can add GCIII, Article 13 to the legal issue spotter.
January 3, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Looks like we can add GCIII, Article 13 to the legal issue spotter.
Performative military action to generate content.
Reality TV commander in chief.
Reality TV commander in chief.
Trump posts footage of the Maduro raid set to "Fortunate Son" -- a protest song about the Vietnam War draft
January 3, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Performative military action to generate content.
Reality TV commander in chief.
Reality TV commander in chief.
Did a Control + F for fentanyl, but no hits.
So weird.
So weird.
U.S. indictment against Venezuela President Maduro, wife is unsealed
U.S. indictment against Venezuela President Maduro, wife is unsealed
A federal indictment charging Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, his wife and four others was posted online by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Saturday.
cnb.cx
January 3, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Did a Control + F for fentanyl, but no hits.
So weird.
So weird.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Article I Crisis.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., expresses support for Trump’s military action in Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Article I Crisis.
Reposted by Brian Finucane
US War Powers at the moment:
Wheel of Airstrikes.
Who will the US bomb next? Tune in to find out!
Wheel of Airstrikes.
Who will the US bomb next? Tune in to find out!
1000wof GIF
ALT: 1000wof GIF
media.tenor.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:13 AM
US War Powers at the moment:
Wheel of Airstrikes.
Who will the US bomb next? Tune in to find out!
Wheel of Airstrikes.
Who will the US bomb next? Tune in to find out!
Needless to say, Congress did not authorize the US military intervention in Venezuela.
"But Wiles conceded that attacking targets on Venezuela’s mainland would force Trump to get congressional approval. 'If he were to authorize some activity on land, then it’s war, then [we’d need] Congress.'"
- WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Nov 2, 2025 interview
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
- WH Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Nov 2, 2025 interview
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
Trump’s Inner Circle, On the Record (Part 2 of 2)
Susie Wiles discusses the Epstein files, Pete Hegseth’s war tactics, and “retribution” against Letitia James.
www.vanityfair.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Needless to say, Congress did not authorize the US military intervention in Venezuela.
Anyone heard from her recently?
Wonder if the DNI has thoughts on a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela?
January 3, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Anyone heard from her recently?
Today is the anniversary of the capture of Noreiga in Operation Just Cause.
January 3, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Today is the anniversary of the capture of Noreiga in Operation Just Cause.
Reposted by Brian Finucane
Interesting how much weight he’s placing on a federal indictment given that his own boss was under federal indictment.
Marco Rubio on Maduro: "He's into the drug business. By the way, it's not me saying it. I'm not just making this up. This was an indictment that came out of the Southern District of New York back in 2020. An indictment! It was undisputed."
December 3, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Interesting how much weight he’s placing on a federal indictment given that his own boss was under federal indictment.