Extradition
Without a Treaty, Why the Karachi Consulate Shooting Is Hard to Prosecute
Ten people are dead in Karachi. Everyone knows who pulled the trigger. The question is whether any court on Earth has the authority to do anything…
International Law
International law is the body of rules, treaties, and customs that govern how countries treat one another, and how they handle the seas, space, and other places no single nation controls. There is no world government to enforce it. It relies on agreements, courts, and the choices of states. It shapes war, trade, diplomacy, and the handling of crime across borders.
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4topics
October 10last updated
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Latest in International Law
International Law Principles
International Law Hasn’t Allowed Territorial Conquest Since 1945
On January 7, 2025, President Trump said the United States needs Greenland and refused to rule out using military or economic pressure to take it. Denmark's…
Law of the Sea
Can the U.S. Legally Seize Foreign Vessels on the High Seas?
On January 7, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard personnel boarded a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, about 220 miles south of Iceland, and seized it.…
Extradition
Maduro’s Capture, and How the U.S. Prosecutes Foreign Leaders
U.S. armed forces seized Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan leader, in Caracas on January 3, 2026, and he pleaded not guilty in federal court in New York…
Topics in International Law
Rules and courts
International Law Principles covers the basic ideas and customs that countries follow, and International Courts covers the bodies that hear disputes between states and try individuals for grave crimes.
Seas and suspects
Law of the Sea covers who controls ocean waters and what ships may do there, and Extradition covers how one country hands a suspect to another to face charges.
All Articles on International Law
The Laws of War: How the US Follows (and Doesn’t Follow) International Rules
War is chaos, but it's also one of the most strictly regulated human activities. For the United States, a superpower with troops from Eastern…
The Boat Strike That Killed Survivors: Who Could Face Charges?
On September 2, 2025, a United States military strike targeted a vessel allegedly operated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The engagement did…
Were the Venezuela Boat Strikes Legal Under the Laws of War?
From progressive senators to hawkish defense hawks, a unified voice has emerged about "Operation Southern Spear," the Trump administration's escalated military campaign against Venezuelan…
The Race to Mine Asteroids: Which Country Will Strike Space Gold First?
The global race to mine asteroids for precious metals and vital resources is no longer a question of if, but who and how soon.…
Who Owns the Moon? A Guide to Space Property Rights
Nobody owns the Moon. International law clearly states that the Moon and other celestial bodies cannot be owned by any nation or individual. The…
Understanding International Criminal Justice: The ICC vs. Ad Hoc Tribunals
When Slobodan Milošević, who had been Serbia's president, appeared in a courtroom in The Hague in 2001 to face charges of war crimes before…
Understanding U.S. Maritime Zones: Territorial Waters vs. Exclusive Economic Zones
The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth's surface, but not all waters are created equal under international law. When you see a U.S.…
International Law: The Written and Unwritten Rules That Govern Nations
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the world didn't just witness a military conflict. Countries condemned Russia for a massive violation of international law,…
How U.S. Law Works: From Main Street to the Global Stage
The rules that govern American life come from two distinct but interconnected worlds. Domestic law shapes everything from traffic tickets to constitutional rights within…
Diplomatic Immunity vs. Sovereign Immunity in International Law
When foreign officials visit the United States or American citizens engage with foreign governments, two distinct legal shields come into play: diplomatic immunity and…