Category Archives: International Law

Would it be Illegal for Iran to Close the Strait of Hormuz?

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Ryan Scoville

In response to international economic and diplomatic pressure to halt its nuclear program, Iran is reportedly contemplating closing the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow and critically important waterway through which approximately a third of global sea-based oil shipments pass each … Continue reading →

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The Libya Intervention: Legality and Lessons (Part I)

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Ryan Scoville

With the NATO action in Libya winding down, now seems to be a good time to take stock of the debate over the legality and practical implications of the intervention. What are the merits of the major legal arguments? What … Continue reading →

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Amanda Knox and the U.S.-Italian Extradition Treaty

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Ryan Scoville

With an Italian appellate court having just overturned Amanda Knox’s murder conviction, the prosecutor on the case, Giuliano Mignini, has stated that he will appeal to have the conviction and sentence reinstated. Meanwhile, Ms. Knox is back in the United … Continue reading →

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Palestine’s U.N. Membership: Why Does it Matter?

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Ryan Scoville

Palestinian officials have announced that they will seek a Security Council vote to approve Palestine as a full member of the United Nations next Friday. Israel has strongly opposed the move, and the United States has announced that, if necessary, … Continue reading →

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International Law as a Tool for Ascertaining Gaddafi’s Whereabouts

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Ryan Scoville

In a prior post, I explained that the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) has jurisdiction to prosecute Muammar Gaddafi because the Security Council passed a resolution to that effect in February 2011. Utilizing that jurisdiction, the Court issued arrest warrants against … Continue reading →

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Fukushima and the Law of the Sea

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Ryan Scoville

Two days ago, Japan’s nuclear regulatory agency disclosed estimates of the volume of radioactive material that has escaped from the Fukushima reactor complex since the March earthquake and tsunami. The agency estimates that the emitted volume of radioactive cesium is approximately 168 … Continue reading →

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ICC Jurisdiction Over Gaddafi

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Ryan Scoville

Last week I wrote that the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) is unlikely to try Syria’s President Assad for crimes against humanity because the Court would probably lack jurisdiction. The Rome Statute—the ICC’s founding treaty—empowers the Court to exercise jurisdiction only with … Continue reading →

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Syrian Culpability for Crimes Against Humanity

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Ryan Scoville

Like a handful of other states in the Middle East, Syria has experienced significant domestic political turmoil in recent months, with a sizable and seemingly increasing percentage of its population openly protesting against the autocratic government of Bashar al-Assad. The … Continue reading →

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