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David Bosco

@multilateralist

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Indiana University prof. Multilateralist blog Latest book: The Poseidon Project, …

Bloomington, IN

https://t.co/bB9EtLZs5I

Joined September 2009

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

This week was the official publication of my new book, The Poseidon Project, by Oxford University Press. A brief thread on my central argument: via @amazon

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The Poseidon Project: The Struggle to Govern the World's Oceans

A vibrant exploration of past and present controversies surrounding control of the world''s oceans.In 1609, the Dutch lawyer Hugo Grotius rejected the idea that even powerful rulers could own the...

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

Brazil's star turn on the UN Security Council is a good reminder that it was one of the few countries given serious consideration for permanent membership during the 1943-44 negotiations about the shape of the UN.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

India is the first country to land on the moon without having a permanent UN Security Council seat.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

A few thoughts on Bolton: He is not a neoconservative. He has little interest in exporting democracy or human rights or in restructuring other societies. He supported the Iraq War but his preference was to withdraw soon after Saddam was ousted rather than engage in nationbuildlng

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

6 years

These were the “jus” options for my international law class’s end of year pizza party.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

The Roosevelt administration pushed for Brazil's inclusion as a permanent member, but it wasn't able to convince the British or the Soviets.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

@vali_nasr The letter is a bit unhinged to be honest; I think this will do more to confirm Israel's sense that the UN bureaucracy is stacked against it than anything else.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Hypothesis: India is to the Quad as France was to early NATO.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

As I manically refreshed voting totals this morning, the 5-year old noted the irony of my efforts to limit her device time.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

But none of this changes the main focus of concern: his willingness to use military force to dismantle nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran. Bolton is a conviction player, and there's no reason to think his rhetoric on this is hollow.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

My next book--a diplomatic history of ocean governance and the law of the sea--has been freed from the Suez Canal of my laptop and is now sailing steadily toward port.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

I had the opportunity to speak with a veteran war crimes prosecutor recently and (with their permission) I’m sharing some of their thoughts about the Ukraine investigation, and war crimes investigations generally:

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

By my count, the United States has cast 20 Security Council vetoes since January 1990. 17 of them have been related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

In a weird way, Bolton takes international law and its effects very seriously. It's precisely because he believes international law is powerful (particularly in democratic societies) that he spent so much time and effort opposing the International Criminal Court.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

He is deeply skeptical of certain multilateral institutions, which he believes tend to obscure the realities of power, but he does not believe the United States should abandon treaty commitments, including its commitments to NATO allies.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

One fascinating relationship to watch will be Bolton-Haley. Bolton knows UN processes inside and out and might be expected to have a heavy hand in terms of managing diplomacy in New York.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

But Bolton is not averse to some forms of multilateralism. During his time at the State Department in the George W. Bush administration, he worked hard on establishing the Proliferation Security Initiative, a multilateral partnership that has been reasonably successful

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

On the ICC, Bolton can even claim a certain prescience. Many ICC supporters said his concerns about the court eventually targeting the United States were absurd. But we're now on the cusp of an investigation that will include US conduct in Afghanistan and at certain 'black sites'

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

As UN ambassador, he labored over and took great pride in Security Council resolutions that he helped design. He sees little value in many UN processes but he has a grudging kind of respect for the Security Council itself, based as it is on the realities of international power

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

2 years

I would not be surprised if the first International Criminal Court indictments against Russian individuals are issued in the next few weeks.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

Watching the commentary on the Israel-Gaza conflict, I’m struck again by the divide between how the NGO and human rights community sees the laws of war and how national militaries view them.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

Uses of the Security Council veto since 1989: Russia: 22 United States: 17 China: 10 France: 0 United Kingdom: 0

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

6 years

Lawyers trying to use the Myanmar precedent as a basis for ICC jurisdiction in Syria

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

2 years

In his speech today, President Biden endorsed reform of the United Nations Security Council in more detailed and fulsome terms than most recent U.S. presidents. Specifically, he argued for new permanent and elected members of the Council. (1/19)

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

But maybe the critical element in Bolton's long foreign policy resume is that he's never really been a principal. He worked at DOJ and USAID and then was an assistant secretary of state, an undersecretary, and UN ambassador (but not, if I remember correctly, in the cabinet).

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

I see this election largely as a referendum on U.S. policy toward the International Criminal Court. Pretty clear message from Florida that voters take ICC jurisdiction over US citizens seriously, but Michigan results suggest that sanctions against ICC personnel went too far.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

BREAKING: The Biden administration has rejoined the Kellogg-Briand pact.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

This 2005 profile on Bolton tries to get at some of the nuances in his worldview.

World According to Bolton.pdf

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

For some insight into Bolton's thoughts on how the US should respond to ICC scrutiny, see this recent WSJ op-ed

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The Hague Aims for U.S. Soldiers

A ‘war crimes’ inquiry in Afghanistan shows the danger of the International Criminal Court.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

6 years

BREAKING: John Bolton set to announce United States withdrawal from Kellogg-Briand Pact.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

I somehow had never seen this before, from a 1940 edition of Look magazine

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

10 years

Costa Rica uniquely vulnerable to conventional invasion at this moment: no army and all able-bodied citizens likely drunk.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

8 years

Exclusive: International Criminal Court Poised to Open Investigation into War Crimes in Afghanistan

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Exclusive: International Criminal Court Poised to Open Investigation into War Crimes in Afghanistan

The investigation could expose U.S. personnel to international justice inquiry for the first time.

foreignpolicy.com

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

A reminder that the International Criminal Court has authorized an investigation of the situation in Afghanistan, to include Taliban crimes

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

As news of large-scale violence and likely atrocities emerge from Israel and Gaza, a reminder that the International Criminal Court has an ongoing investigation of the situation in Palestine.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

First Biden administration veto on the Security Council.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

@tradingPolitics He might argue that we ended up with a vacuum/chaos anyway, so why not one with much less blood and treasure spent. For him removing dangerous leaders and their access to WMDs is focus. everything else (including wellbeing of people in affected countries) is secondary.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

5 years

Longer Trump: after a rigorous analysis of the jus ad bellum and jus in bello criteria, doubts arose as to whether proposed Iran strike met either of their (distinct) proportionality tests. Review of well worn Aquinas texts confirmed doubts.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Britain's multilateral hot streak continues: the UK chairs the Security Council, holds the G7 presidency, and now a UK lawyer was just elected the next prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

The first UN Security Council resolution was passed on this day in 1946. (It contained only 144 words. It takes today's Security Council at least that many words to clear its collective throat.)

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

6 years

It's remarkable how different the international justice project looks today from when the international prosecutions of Karadzic and Mladic began.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

The news of countries providing additional funding to the International Criminal Court to conduct its Ukraine investigation is obviously welcome in many respects. But the ad hoc funding of particular investigations does raise some important questions.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

5 years

State Department to launch new human rights panel stressing 'natural law'

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State Department to launch new human rights panel stressing 'natural law'

Human rights activists said that they were surprised by the move and trying to learn details.

www.politico.com

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

After the UN Charter was signed, it was flown to Washington, reportedly in a fireproof box equipped with its own parachute.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Just saw a headline stating that NATO had promised to open global theaters by July 17. Intrigued, I read further. Turns out there is a National Association of Theater Owners (NATO).

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

6 years

I finally saw Incredibles 2 and there are some things to unpeel in there regarding the relationship between domestic and international law.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

2 years

I am given to understand that the new Top Gun movie features a preemptive military strike authorized by NATO (but not by the UN Security Council). I feel the need...the need for a jus ad bellum review.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

The ICC prosecutor's decision not to open a full investigation of alleged British abuses in Iraq (dating from the aftermath of the US-led invasion) is an important one.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

I finally saw Barbie and missed a whole chunk of dialogue because I was staring at the dashed line near the South China Sea.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

At least we are still a party to the Kellogg-Briand pact.

@michelekelemen

Michele Kelemen

@michelekelemen

4 years

The Trump admin pulls out of another int'l agreement, the Open Skies treaty. NatSec Advisor O’Brien says “Trump has made clear that the US will not remain a party to int'l agreements that are being violated by the other parties and are no longer in America’s interests.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

@anneapplebaum @HotlineJosh Are there ANY areas where Russian troops have actually been welcomed by the population? It seems that even in regions where Russia would have expected so there is strong opposition.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

As violence continues in Israel/Palestine, just a reminder that there's a full International Criminal Court investigation in progress

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

2 years

The issue of whether the United States will actively support the International Criminal Court’s investigation in Ukraine is nowr resurfacing as a significant one. A few thoughts about the debate and the overall context (channeling my inner realist/contrarian!)

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Likely going to infuriate my twitter feed by admitting that I'm not a big fan of international organizations being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

From the 12-year old this morning: "you're a decent writer Dad; you just write about the wrong stuff."

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

Another important point about Bolton is that he has long seen the culture at the State Department as a problem. He sees the entrenched bureaucracy there as far too accommodationist and left-leaning. Now he's taking over as NSA at a time when State has been hollowed out.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

@dandrezner I've got a joke about the International Criminal Court, but I'm only going to tell it if others are not willing and able to do so.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

2 years

The charges against Putin should make Israeli leaders with responsibility for policy in the West Bank a bit nervous.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

2 years

Henceforth, think tanks shall be known as armored policy vehicles

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Biden winning electoral college but losing the popular vote would be a very 2020 ending to this election.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

One of the things the Court will be losing when Breyer retires is a justice who probably thought more about international law than any other

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

I'm always amazed at how much losing a nonbinding, symbolic vote at the UN gets to some conservatives, who I think generally pride themselves on being more realistic and thick-skinned about these kinds of things.

@philipaklein

Philip Klein

7 years

This is great. Even better would be kicking the UN out of the United States. They can open their anti-Semitic organization somewhere else, and help the parking situation in NYC considerably.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Canada backs American-led effort for Taiwan at World Health Organization

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

6 years

Lest I start a diplomatic incident (or give him any ideas!), let me clarify that tweet on Bolton withdrawing US from Kellogg-Briand pact was a joke.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

The Security Council's Afghanistan resolution says nothing about the International Criminal Court's investigation of the situation there--or about international accountability generally

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

The story of the ship that left its deadly cargo in Beirut @globeandmail

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How neglected cargo became a ‘ticking time bomb’ in Beirut

Explosives experts say 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate removed from a vessel impounded in 2013 and abandoned by its Russian owner was long considered dangerous before a welding accident caused it to...

www.theglobeandmail.com

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

There are many consequences that Putin has to consider if he orders an invasion of Ukraine, but it's worth remembering that being charged criminally with aggression is not one of them.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

1 year

This is a significant victory for the International Criminal Court and for the international justice movement more broadly.

@sherwiebp

Sherwin Bryce-Pease

1 year

South Africa’s Presidency confirms (by mutual agreement) that Russian President Vladimir Putin will NOT attend the BRICS summit in SA in August. Russian delegation to be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Full statement here: #sabcnews

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Just for old times sake, how about a joint Israeli-British-French operation to safeguard passage through the Suez Canal?

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

One important dynamic to watch regarding atrocity investigations in Ukraine will be the relationship between the Ukrainian authorities and the International Criminal Court (1/15)

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Happy 75th birthday to the United Nations. It has endured three times as long as its predecessor, and in that time there have been no sustained military conflicts between the permanent members of its Security Council.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Is this a good night for a longish thread on reform of the UN Security Council?

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Sudan ready to cooperate with ICC over Darfur, says PM | Article [AMP] | Reuters

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

6 years

UN Security Council considering authorizing peacekeepers for next G7 summit.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

I did not have rioting in the Netherlands on my 2021 bingo card.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

2 years

@franakviacorka @NATOSource Some folks in The Hague might be interested in speaking with him.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

5 years

@GerardAraud There's truth to this but growing Chinese influence is also a simple byproduct of its stunning growth in last several decades. By dint of that growth, China has climbed the ranks in terms of assessed contributions and its voice naturally is louder in multilateral fora.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

Russia tried this after Kosovo intervention as well. I'm not sure why. A robust vote against Russian resolution ends up backhandedly bolstering the case for the legitimacy of strikes.

@michellenichols

Michelle Nichols

@michellenichols

7 years

#Russia proposes draft #UNSC resolution that would condemn "the aggression against #Syria by the U.S. and its allies in violation of international law and the U.N. Charter." If put to vote, unlikely to get nine votes needed to force a veto by #US , #France , #UK , say diplomats.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

6 years

I got into trouble yesterday joking about the Kellogg-Briand Pact. But a serious question: is it generally viewed as having been superseded by the UN Charter and therefore without legal relevance today? It's rare to hear it referenced in discussions on legality of use of force

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

5 years

From the White House plan for Mideast peace: the Palestinians "shall dismiss all pending actions, against the State of Israel, the United States and any of their citizens before the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and all other tribunals"

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

@jaketapper Plus, the Little 500 bike race is this weekend in Bloomington! So Breaking Away much more timely.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

@julianborger Two things about this are true: 1) the US stance is mind-bogglingly inane; and 2) even if passed, the resolution was very unlikely to have any real-world impact

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

I think contemporary accounts of the UN's founding tend to overemphasize human rights and deemphasize the UN Charter's focus on militarily crushing any new aggressive powers.

@UN_News_Centre

UN News

@UN_News_Centre

4 years

75 years ago on Friday, the @UN Charter was first signed, underscoring: 👉🏿Human Rights 👉🏽Equality + Dignity 👉🏻International Law 👉🏾Peace The ideals laid out then in are even more relevant today. #CharterDay #UN75Charter

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

As war crimes allegations mount in Ukraine, one important question will be to what extent International Criminal Court investigators are able to obtain actual testimony from Russian soldiers about what their orders and instructions were.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

Once again, punishing violations of certain rules on what kind of force can be used has superseded the rules on when force can be used.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

An ICC thought experiment: Put yourself in the position of a US official who strongly believes it is not legitimate for an international court that the US has not joined to criminally investigate or prosecute U.S. citizens. That will be harder for some than for others.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

For those interested in the South China Sea, @resplinodell is very much worth following. At the moment, she's taking on all comers in arguing for a less confrontational US approach to the disputes there.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Volume III of President Obama's memoirs will describe the writing of Volume I.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

There are going to be a lot of high-profile chefs in the Biden administration's foreign policy kitchen.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

Bolton named and now I can't get on the International Criminal Court's website. Coincidence?

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

I've seen a number of voices pointing to the fecklessness of the UN and the Security Council in particular in the face of Russian aggression

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

With all the attention to apartheid from @amnesty and @hrw it will be interesting to see if that term influences how the @IntlCrimCourt sees the potential crimes there

@KenRoth

Kenneth Roth

3 years

The Israeli government says it won’t cooperate with a UN investigation, citing, of course, “bias.” The real reason seems to be fear that the UN will condemn its crime against humanity of apartheid.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

I'm planning to periodically feature new research on international organizations and global governance on my Multilateralist blog. Please give me a shout if you've got something coming out!

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The Multilateralist | David Bosco | Substack

Thoughts on international organizations and global governance. Click to read The Multilateralist, by David Bosco, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

davidbosco.substack.com

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

7 years

ICC prosecutor has just released full explanation of why she wants an investigation in Afghanistan, including certain US conduct there and in eastern Europe related to the Afghanistan conflict.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

Happy United Nations day to all!

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

The kids were watching @TheIncredibles sequel the other night and I can't stop thinking about the ways in which the legalization of superheroes proceeded.

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@multilateralist

David Bosco

@multilateralist

4 years

"Violating international law" is such a negative phrasing. We're making new customary law!

@just_security

Just Security

4 years

Why the Biden administration's airstrikes in #Syria almost certainly violated international law. From @AdHaque110 : #SyriaStrikes

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

3 years

ICC pragmatism in Afghanistan: the court's new prosecutor wants to focus on Taliban and ISIS-K crimes and "deprioritise" other aspects of the investigation--including alleged US crimes

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

11 years

Assad's key error was not realizing that enough scholarly articles had been written to turn the chemical weapons treaty into customary law.

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David Bosco

@multilateralist

8 years

After 9 wonderful years at @AU_SIS , I'm moving to @IUBloomington , where I'll teach in the exciting new @IUSGIS

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