Saturday, November 23

International Law, Legal Battles

International Law includes rules from treaties, conventions, declarations, agreements, and customs. It involves the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice, also called the “World Court,” the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the World Bank. For more information, see our International Law Resources page.

UKRAINE: What Is The Budapest Memorandum, And Why It Matters.
9Mar By Jacob DavenportNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Resources for Research, Types of News: Analysis

UKRAINE: What Is The Budapest Memorandum, And Why It Matters.

March 9, 2022—Editor's Note: When searching for solutions when one country attacks another, it's helpful to look back in history and seek guidance from international agreements that are relevant. This article is the first in a series to help readers understand the background of Ukraine's security situation and international expectations. On January 11, 1994, Ukraine agreed to give up its vast nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees. Later that year, Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances with Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom. At the time, Ukraine held 176 intercontinental missiles armed with some 1,240 nuclear warheads and 592 nuclear warheads aboard bombers. Following the agreement, Ukraine dismantled and destroyed the arsenal. Afte...
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In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia’s Military Actions in Ukraine
2Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Human rights, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief, UN Security Council

In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia’s Military Actions in Ukraine

UN General Assembly vote on March 2, 2022 Resolution Calls On Russia To Immediately Cease Its Use Of Force Against Ukraine March 2, 2022--In an extraordinary session of the United Nation's General Assembly, representatives from 141 countries voted to condemn Russia's military assault on Ukraine, uphold the UN charter and call for an immediate end to the bloodshed. It was only the 11th time in the organization's history that the General Assembly held an emergency session. The four-page resolution recalls several previous resolutions supporting territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Furthermore, it minces no words about condemning Russia. unga-resolution-Russia-UkraineDownload Belarus Condemned Too The resolution also calls out Russia's ally Belarus. Specifically, ...
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United Nations Holds An Emergency Special Session
28Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos, UN Security Council

United Nations Holds An Emergency Special Session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CdY7t5VKIY February 28, 2022--In only the 11th time in its history, the United Nations is holding an emergency special session in its 193-member General Assembly today. It comes on the fifth day of Russia's war on Ukraine. Members are not only discussing Ukraine's territorial integrity and Russia's breach of that, they are meeting to uphold the UN Charter. As a result of the emergency session, 141 countries voted to condemn Russia’s military assault on Ukraine, uphold the UN charter and call for an immediate end to the bloodshed. Read more: In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia's Military Actions in Ukraine.
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As Ukraine Gains Strong Global Support, India, China & UAE Sit It Out
26Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis, Types of News: Videos, UN Security Council

As Ukraine Gains Strong Global Support, India, China & UAE Sit It Out

Security Council meeting Feb. 25, 2022 February 26, 2022—Even as much of the world rallies moral and financial support for Ukraine in the wake of Russia's unprovoked invasion, a few countries refused to condemn the attacks and the violation of international law. India, China and the UAE Abstain From Resolution The United Nations Security Council--the primary international body for settling disputes—has been holding multiple meetings on the situation in Ukraine. On Friday, the Security Council considered a resolution sponsored by 52 countries. The resolution's intent was to hold Russia accountable for its military actions and to uphold the value of protecting civilians. As a permanent member of the council, Russia has veto power, and it exercised that on Friday. However, the re...
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Turkey: NATO Should Have Stopped Russia’s Invasion
25Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, International Law, Legal Battles, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

Turkey: NATO Should Have Stopped Russia’s Invasion

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an joins a virtual NATO meeting on Feb. 25, 2022. Source: Turkey's Government February 25, 2022--As Russia closed in on Ukraine's capital city Kyiv, the NATO alliance held an emergency virtual meeting today. Just hours before the meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an suggested that NATO and the European Union should have stopped the invasion. "NATO should have taken a more decisive step," Erdogan said to reporters, according to Reuters and other press reports. "The EU and all the rest of the West have failed to display a decisive and serious stance. They give plenty of advice to Ukraine. It’s not possible to get a result through this advice," Erdo?an said. Turkey is a NATO member and a neighbor of Russia. In a press release on Thur...
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International Community Responds to Russia’s Breach of Ukraine’s Borders
23Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

International Community Responds to Russia’s Breach of Ukraine’s Borders

February 23, 2022—The international community rallied support for Ukraine and joined the United States in issuing new sanctions against Russia. It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine after recognizing them as independent states. Today, leaders from Poland and Lithuania stood by the side of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a news conference as he asked for an "immediate and harsh" response by the international community. And respond, they did. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and Canada announced new sanctions against Russia. This follows yesterday's announcement by U.S. President Joe Biden about the "first tranche of sanctions." In some cases, like those in the United Kingdo...
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Biden Announces New Sanctions Against Russia
22Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
International Law, Legal Battles, Sanctions

Biden Announces New Sanctions Against Russia

Biden Says U.S. Allies Are 'United in Support of Ukraine' February 22, 2022--President Joe Biden announced new sanctions against Russia, two Russian banks and individuals today in the wake of Russia's breach of Ukraine's borders. Biden said the new sanctions go that "far beyond" those enacted in 2014. This comes in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's recognition of two Ukrainian regions as independent and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. New 'First Tranche' of Sanctions The new U.S. sanctions apply to: Two state-owned financial institutions, VEB and PSB, which support Russia’s defense capability and its economy.Russian elites, including Denis Aleksandrovich Bortnikov, a Russian official and an executive at VTB Bank, Petr Mikhailovich Fradkov, chairman and CEO of PSB ...
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US, Japan And South Korea Issue Statement For ‘Free And Open Indo-Pacific’
14Feb By Jacob DavenportNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, International Law, Legal Battles, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

US, Japan And South Korea Issue Statement For ‘Free And Open Indo-Pacific’

Leaders Condemn Missile Launches By DPRK February 14, 2022--Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday, the top diplomats for the United States, Japan, and South Korea released a joint statement promising to collaborate on an Indo-Pacific strategy. The statement comes after North Korea (DPRK) launched nine ballistic missiles in the month of January, challenging the Biden Administration. U.S. Strategy for the Indo-Pacific In response to that and other diplomatic challenges, namely by China, President Joe Biden released a new strategy this month for the Indo-Pacific region. The strategy suggests the United States is stepping up its diplomacy, foreign assistance and participation in regional organizations to counter China's growing influence in the East and South China Seas. U.S....
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EU Backs Lithuania Against China Trade Restrictions
2Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Global Trade, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief

EU Backs Lithuania Against China Trade Restrictions

EU Commissioner meets with the Lithuanian president. Lithuania's Recognition of Taiwan is at the Center of the Trade Spat February 2, 2022--The European Union opened a dispute in the World Trade Organization against China in defense of EU-member Lithuania. The request for dispute consultations alleges that China restricted trade with Lithuania in violation of international rules governing trade. According to the EU, the trade restrictions are "novel, numerous, recurrent, and persisting" and "show a targeted prohibition or restriction" against Lithuanian goods and services. Furthermore, the complaint says, trade restrictions impact supply chains throughout the EU. Finally, the EU claims the restrictions violate the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT). 'No Othe...
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As Israeli Leader Rejects Palestinian State, Norway Steps Up Diplomacy
17Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

As Israeli Leader Rejects Palestinian State, Norway Steps Up Diplomacy

November 17, 2021--Amid a rejection of the two-state solution by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Norway's Foreign Ministry is hosting talks today with the goal of building up rule of law in the Palestinian territories. Today's meeting in Oslo, Norway represents the first in-person ministerial meeting by the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in two years. Norway's newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt led the discussion. It's significant on multiple fronts. First, Norway is often instrumental in achieving breakthroughs in diplomacy. Earlier this year, the country's representatives achieved a solution for aid workers to continue to use a border crossing between Turkey and Syria. Later they helped bring Venezuelan leaders together with its opposition in Me...
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