International Law Behind the Headlines

Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman is being sued in federal court with regard to the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi. A key issue is whether MBS’s apparent power and key leadership role give him immunity. We explore this issue, along with related foreign relations law questions, with Chimene Keitner, Fromm professor of law at UC Hastings and former counselor to the State Department.

In this episode Kal speaks with the co-editors of the recent AJIL Unbound symposium on Ukraine and International Law, who discuss the contributions to the symposium and make the case that despite the horrific violence in Ukraine international law has fared better, and appears more resilient, than many might think.

The UN Charter in Article 2(4) governs not only the use of force but also threats to use force. The situation in Ukraine raises many questions about threats and how they are treated under international law. In this episode, we speak with James Campbell Professor of Law Monica Hakimi about the issue of threats and how they fit into the larger legal structure governing the use of force.

Episode 33: Non-Binding Agreements and International Law with Oona Hathaway by American Society of International Law

In this episode Kal interviews Axios Chief Financial Correspondent and Slate Money host Felix Salmon about the recent, massive data dump of financial documents related to offshore tax avoidance and evasion, money laundering, and the role of lawyers in enabling and regulating this activity.

Rebecca Hamilton of American University comes on the podcast to discuss the recent events around “AUKUS,” the Australia/UK/US security arrangement and submarine deal, and its implications for the Non Proliferation Treaty, foreign relations in the Indo-Pacific, and everyone’s relations with France.

With COP26 fast approaching, can the parties develop better methods for dispute settlement? In this episode ASIL President Catherine Amirfar discusses the issue and importance of the conciliation annex under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

In this episode we discuss vaccine passports, new multilateral agreements, and other emerging legal Issues in Geneva and elsewhere with Gian Luca Burci, former Legal Counsel of the WHO and professor at the Graduate Institute.

In this episode we discuss the recent plane diversion by Belarus, which has been called a “state sponsored hijacking“. Joining us to analyze the international legal framework governing such incidents is Cameron Miles.

Episode 27: the Biden Administration and the Use of Force by American Society of International Law

President Trump sought to exit the WHO and the Paris Accord; President Biden is reversing both of those decisions. In this episode our guest Duncan Hollis, editor of the Oxford Guide to Treaties, explores how treaty exit and entrance work, who governs these processes, and many other related issues.

This episode features Kathleen Claussen, co-author of the recent “The Perils of Pandemic Exceptionalism” in the ,em>American Journal of International Law , discussing how the COVID-19 pandemic may reshape international economic law.

In this episode we speak with David Kaye, former UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression, about content moderation, social media, disinformation, and international law, especially in the context of elections.

In this episode we speak with Bonnie Glaser, head of the China Power Project at CSIS, about the recent State Department endorsement of the 2016 arbitral ruling on maritime claims in the South China Sea. We cover what’s new, what’s not, and what is likely to happen between the US and China now that the US has formally endorsed the tribunal’s findings.

In this episode we speak with former National Security Council lawyer Tess Bridgeman about the Iran Deal, the recent maneuvers by the Trump administration at the UN to reimpose sanctions, and whether the US still a participant in the JCPOA.

The EU is the leading regulatory power in the world today. Why is it so influential and how does its influence manifest itself? Will it remain influential in the future? In this episode, Kal Raustiala talks to Anu Bradford about her new book The Brussels Effect.

Catherine is joined by Dr. Tom Ginsburg, Professor of International Law and Political Science at the University of Chicago, to discuss his recent article “Authoritarian International Law?” in the American Journal of International Law. Their wide-ranging conversation explores the liberal foundation of international law, how countries with authoritarian governments may be re-writing those very found...

In this episode Kal Raustiala speaks with Gian Luca Burci, former legal counsel at the World Health Organization, about how international law shapes the response of states to infectious disease. What do WHO rules permit and forbid? Does human rights law permit quarantines? What about trade embargoes and World Trade Organization commitments?

In this episode, Catherine Amirfar speaks with Professor Katharine Young, associate professor of law at Boston College Law School and expert on human rights about her take on the last decade in human rights, especially considering the work and possible effect of the State Department’s newly-formed Commission on Unalienable Rights. Professor Young also discusses the potential role of the United Sta...

In this episode with Larry Johnson, former Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs at the UN, we discuss the recent denial of a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, which occurred as tensions between Iran and the US reached a boiling point. We explore the complex history and law governing travel to and from the UN and the US’s obligations as the host nation under the Headquarters Ag...

This episode features a conversation with Avril Haines, assistant to the president and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama and the first woman to hold the positon of the Deputy Director of the CIA. Avril addresses the most recent events since the U.S.’s targeted drone strike of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, including the legal and policy ramifications of the strike for...

In this episode we speak with former Sec. of Defense Carter about crafting national security strategy, the role of international lawyers, and his new book Inside the Five-Sided Box.

In this episode we talk with Penn Law Prof and foreign relations law expert Jean Galbraith about the legal basis and political context of the Trump administration’s recent—and unprecedented—suit against California for engaging in an agreement with Quebec to implement a shared cap and trade system.

In this episode, Catherine Amirfar and Kal Raustiala discuss this fall’s opening of the UN General Assembly and the key themes and issues that emerged, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and climate change.

Tensions between Iran and the US have reached a critical level, culminating in senior-level discourse during last week’s UN General Assembly meetings in which the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other countries focused on allegations that Iran was responsible for a military drone strike on Saudi Arabia’s oil fields. This is just the latest event in a quickly evolving military situation, with the...