Today’s Headlines and Commentary

Subscribe to receive this newsletter directly to your inbox.

Russian missile strikes killed at least 21 people in Odessa, Ukraine, writes the Wall Street Journal. According to the Ukraine Security Service, the missiles hit an apartment building and a recreational center. 40 people have been hospitalized, including a pregnant woman and a child in a coma who was found in the rubble. The strikes come days after a similar attack on a Ukrainian shopping mall that claimed the lives of at least 20 people. 

WNBA player Brittney Griner appeared in Russian court today, reports Reuters. Griner faces drug charges that could result in her spending up to 10 years in a Russian jail. Her next hearing is scheduled for July 7. A lawyer representing Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer imprisoned in the United States, claims the Russian government may be interested in a prisoner exchange, according to the New York Times.

Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as a justice of the Supreme Court, becoming the first Black woman to serve on the high court, reports AP News. She fills the seat vacated by the now-retired Justice Stephen Breyer, who she once clerked for. Jackson swore two oaths required by Supreme Court justices, one administered by Chief Justice John Roberts and the other by Breyer.

The Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration could reverse the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy, writes the Washington Post. The policy required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico as their cases were being heard in the United States. Roberts wrote the majority opinion, joined by Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, and Sonia Sotomayor.

A landslide in northeastern India at a railway construction site killed at least 14 people, according to Reuters. Approximately 50 others are missing. The Indian army joined to assist in the search. So far, the search effort found 19 survivors. The disaster comes as heavy rains have devastated northeast India and Bangladesh.

New Zealand has designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization, writes the New York Times. There is no indication that the group operates in New Zealand, but it has been active in nearby Australia and Canada. The designation makes it illegal for New Zealanders to support the group.

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Jen Patja Howell shared an episode of the Lawfare Podcast in which Evelyn Douek and Quinta Jurecic sat down with Kate Starburd to discuss misinformation and Jan. 6.

Teresa Chan, Alana Nance, and Han-ah Sumner discussed the impact of President Biden’s ASEAN summit on the UNCLOS ratification debate, Beijing’s failed attempts to gain support for a Pacific Islands regional security agreement, China’s successful pact with the Solomon Islands, and more.

David Priess shared an episode of Chatter in which he sat down with Jonathan Wackrow to discuss recent revelations from the Jan. 6 House select committee, his time as a U.S. Secret Service special agent, and more.

James Petrila and Phil Wasielewski argued that the United States needs to designate the Wagner Group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Alvaro Marañon shared NATO’s 2022 “Strategic Concept” that reaffirms the alliance’s values and purpose and outlines NATO’s political and military development for coming years.

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. Check out relevant job openings on our Job Board