The hottest International Law Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Neither Law Nor Order

Gideon's Substack • 38 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The US attack on Iran could set off many unpredictable regional and global consequences, and America has limited ability to control what happens next.
  2. The Pentagon’s blacklisting of Anthropic shows the government is asserting near-total control over frontier AI, threatening tech independence and creating a precedent that firms under US law may be treated like arms of the state.
  3. Together these actions signal a broader shift from rule-of-law and mutual trust to raw power and fear, eroding domestic and international trust and making the new path hard to reverse.

Entirely irrelevant Eurotards assure the world they are "closely monitoring the situation" after the U.S. strikes Venezuela and captures President Nicolás Maduro

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 349 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The United States launched airstrikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were taken aboard the USS Iwo Jima to the U.S. to face criminal charges. The U.S. administration said it intends to run Venezuela, at least temporarily.
  2. The European Union publicly said it is closely monitoring the situation, called for a peaceful transition and respect for international law, and stressed the safety of EU citizens in Venezuela.
  3. The EU response was portrayed as late, symbolic, and hypocritical by critics who see it as insufficient given the scale of the U.S. action and the EU's prior positions on military aggression.

February 28, 2026

Letters from an American • 31 implied HN points • 01 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International Law
  1. The U.S. and Israel carried out a major strike on Iran that killed top leaders and many civilians, and Iran retaliated with attacks on Israel and U.S. bases across the region.
  2. The president justified the assault as preventing a nuclear Iran and promoting freedom, but intelligence indicated no imminent nuclear threat and the stated reasons were vague and possibly politically driven to distract or rally support.
  3. The attack sidestepped Congress and raised constitutional and international-law concerns, risked wider regional escalation, and proceeded despite low public support, signaling a troubling erosion of democratic accountability.

Will they ever pay a price?

The Crucial Years • 2062 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment International Law
  1. Many people feel frustrated by the lack of accountability for powerful figures, who seem to escape consequences for their actions. However, there are signs that pressure is building for change, both globally and in the U.S.
  2. A recent ruling from the International Court of Justice highlights that countries may be held accountable for not protecting the environment. This could open the door for nations affected by climate change to seek reparations.
  3. There's a growing push for renewable energy and climate justice as more people realize the urgency of the climate crisis. The world is moving towards cleaner energy solutions, even as some resist change.

Rebranding Genocide

The Chris Hedges Report • 367 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The violence in Gaza is ongoing and has been relabeled with terms like “ceasefire” or “stabilization,” but the killings, destruction, and intent to remove Palestinians continue in a slow, systematic way.
  2. Global institutions and powerful states have failed to stop or hold accountable these abuses, with ceasefire terms repeatedly violated and proposals that effectively cement external control and displacement of Palestinians.
  3. The result is a catastrophic humanitarian and environmental crisis—mass displacement, starvation, rubble, and long-term harm—and the normalization of such brutality warns that similar patterns could spread under imperial and climate pressures.
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I Burned a Quran. The British Government Punished Me for Blasphemy.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2471 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International Law
  1. A man was punished in Britain for burning a Quran during a protest against Islamic extremism. He believes this action was a form of political expression.
  2. The judge viewed his act as hateful, which raises concerns about freedom of speech and whether Britain is reintroducing blasphemy laws.
  3. The case highlights tensions between offensive political protests and the legal protections for free speech, especially when the expression is controversial.

Deconstructing Trump's Gaza 'Peace' Plan (w/ Norman Finkelstein) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 149 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The UN resolution effectively erases decades of international law on the occupation and hands governance of Gaza to a new “Board of Peace” led by Trump, undermining Palestinian claims to self-determination.
  2. The resolution’s conditions—disarmament preconditions, veto power for Israel, and an international stabilization force—make meaningful aid, reconstruction, and Israeli withdrawal unlikely, so humanitarian collapse and forced displacement will continue.
  3. Many states backed the resolution due to geopolitics and pressure, but organized politics, free speech, and grassroots mobilization are presented as the remaining avenues to resist and try to reverse these outcomes.

World Court Orders Israel to Abide by Genocide Convention and Stop Killing

husseini • 1690 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The World Court ordered Israel to abide by the Genocide Convention and stop killing Palestinians in Gaza.
  2. The UN General Assembly now has the power to suspend Israel and establish a tribunal to prosecute Israeli officials.
  3. Activism like the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement can be escalated against Israel, modeled after activities against apartheid South Africa.

After Denying Massacring Civilians Seeking Aid, Israel Routinely Massacres Civilians Seeking Aid

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1983 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International Law
  1. Israel has repeatedly denied accusations of harming civilians seeking aid, but reports indicate that many have been killed during these events.
  2. There have been multiple incidents where Israeli forces opened fire on crowds trying to access humanitarian assistance in Gaza, leading to significant casualties.
  3. Despite the denials from Israeli officials, evidence from media reports suggests that these actions are ongoing and that Israel has a history of not being truthful about its military operations.

Complete Disregard for International Law (MOATS w/ George Galloway)

The Chris Hedges Report • 167 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. There is a complete disregard for international law in recent military interventions and foreign actions.
  2. Those interventions are argued to be motivated by the seizure of vast oil reserves rather than legitimate legal or humanitarian reasons.
  3. Independent commentators and reader-supported outlets are highlighting and criticizing this pattern, urging the public to recognize resource-driven motives.

Craig Murray: Has International Law Survived, or Has the Western Political Class Killed It?

husseini • 1415 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The International Court of Justice did not affirm Israel's right to self-defense, a crucial point in the ruling.
  2. The ICJ ruling outlined detailed evidence of genocide in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the factual situation.
  3. The court's order explicitly directed Israel to stop killing Palestinians, indicating a clear stance against ongoing violence.

Losing Stanislav: A Ukrainian Tragedy

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 236 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Families of children taken from Ukrainian orphanages face deep uncertainty and fading hope after kids were removed by Russian authorities during the war.
  2. Human rights investigators are doing painstaking work—scrutinizing Russian propaganda videos and matching images to adoption sites—to try to identify and track missing children.
  3. The search for one boy highlights a wider crisis: stolen Ukrainian children are being moved through opaque channels, and legal, political, and informational barriers make reunification increasingly difficult.

To Catch a President

Taipology • 124 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The US carried out a rapid, low-casualty removal of Maduro that looked like a polished PR victory and may have relied on deals or a military stand-down rather than heavy fighting.
  2. This action signals a push to reassert US dominance in Latin America — aiming to secure influence, resources, and compliant governments while European actors largely appeased it.
  3. China is unlikely to directly intervene over Venezuela, and the episode won’t by itself reshape BRICS or Taiwan policy; the bigger contest will be economic and strategic control of supply chains and resources, with Venezuela’s political future still uncertain.

Secret U.S. Army Lab Shipped Live Anthrax to 194 Facilities Worldwide for Over a Decade

Who is Robert Malone • 11 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. A U.S. Army lab repeatedly failed to inactivate anthrax and ended up shipping live spores to nearly 200 labs over more than a decade, revealing major biosafety and quality-control breakdowns.
  2. The facility’s large production scale, advanced capabilities, and its ties to the 2001 anthrax investigation raise real dual-use concerns and unanswered questions about whether oversight and stated defensive needs matched what was produced.
  3. An AI-driven, six-layer verification approach could help spot warning signs and distinguish defensive work from misuse, but it will need transparency, independent oversight, and broad international cooperation to be effective.

PROOF EXCLUSIVE: Trump’s “Board of Peace” Just Became a Criminal Enterprise

Proof • 71 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International Law
  1. Trump has launched a new international organization and put himself in charge of it.
  2. That organization may violate federal criminal law and could be treated as a criminal enterprise.
  3. If the group isn’t illegal, it might be intended as a vehicle for refusing to accept the 2028 election results if Democrats win, posing a serious democratic risk.

Hegseth Unbound the Troops and Ran Into the Law

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 241 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International Law
  1. A push to unshackle commanders and loosen rules of engagement risks bypassing legal requirements and reduces accountability.
  2. Recent strikes on suspected drug‑trafficking boats lack a clear public legal rationale and may cross into violations of international law.
  3. Rules of engagement and the law of war are operational necessities that troops must follow, and ignoring them can produce dangerous, unintended consequences.

None Of These War Criminals Will Face Justice While The US Empire Exists

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2463 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International Law
  1. Many officials involved in war crimes don't face justice because powerful countries protect them. They often continue their careers without consequences.
  2. Questions about war crimes can lead to disrespectful treatment, even removal from press conferences. The focus is more on the questions being asked than the issues raised.
  3. Real change and justice seem impossible as long as the current power structures exist. The cycle of violence and impunity will continue unless there's a shift in global power.

The Rules of War

Discourse Blog • 1611 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Human beings have the capacity for both horrific violence and compassion, and should strive to prevent harm to others in times of conflict.
  2. The Geneva Conventions established rules of war to protect civilians, but these rules have been widely disregarded and broken.
  3. In the face of extreme violence and atrocities in war, it is crucial for individuals to recognize and condemn evil acts, even when committed by powerful entities.

ICJ's Israel genocide decision: Historic victory for Palestinians and Global South

Geopolitical Economy Report • 857 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The International Court of Justice's historic decision on Israel potentially violating the genocide convention is a win for Palestinians and the Global South
  2. The ICJ's ruling emphasized the need for Israel to prevent genocide acts against Palestinians, ensure humanitarian aid access, and preserve evidence of alleged crimes
  3. The ICJ indirectly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, exposing the Western media's distorted coverage of the decision and highlighting the declining international support for Israel

Mug Moscow Now

Diane Francis • 1059 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Western countries have frozen over $300 billion in Russian assets since the invasion of Ukraine. Some propose using this money to help fund Ukraine's defense and recovery.
  2. While some countries like Belgium are trying to find ways to access these funds, overall efforts have faced obstacles and legal concerns. The belief that Russia would compensate Ukraine after the war is unrealistic.
  3. Enforcing tougher sanctions on Russia, especially on its oil and gas exports, is vital to limit its ability to finance the war. Immediate action is needed to support Ukraine effectively.

The Persecution of Francesca Albanese

The Chris Hedges Report • 691 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International Law
  1. Francesca Albanese is a key figure who reports on human rights violations in Palestine. She faces serious backlash, including threats and government sanctions, for her work.
  2. Her recent reports accuse major corporations and institutions of profiting from the suffering of Palestinians. She believes these actions violate international law.
  3. The sanctions against Albanese show a troubling trend where powerful nations avoid accountability for war crimes. This undermines trust in global justice and human rights.

The Long Road to a Western Sahara Resolution

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 6 implied HN points • 28 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The United States shifted from backing a referendum to promoting Morocco’s 2007 autonomy proposal, and decades of steady US diplomacy were key to getting the UN to endorse that approach.
  2. Morocco’s patient, skillful diplomacy—revising its plan, courting partners, and winning international support—gradually changed the balance of opinion and helped secure UN backing for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
  3. Significant obstacles remain because the Polisario and Algeria reject the UN-endorsed path and could block negotiations, so patient, consistent diplomacy and inclusive talks that give Sahrawis a real voice are still essential to avoid another stalemate.

"Too Much Evidence" Of Genocide

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2198 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. South Africa has submitted a lot of documents claiming there's clear evidence of genocide by Israel. They say they actually have too much evidence to handle.
  2. Israeli forces are allegedly blocking Palestinians from returning to their homes, which has raised concerns about ethnic cleansing. A high-profile conference was even held to discuss resettling Gaza.
  3. Aid reaching Gaza is extremely low, and reports show many civilians, including journalists, are being killed. This has been highlighted by various news outlets despite a lack of action from powerful countries.

Norman Finkelstein’s Gaza: A Book Review by Khaled Beydoun

Pen>Sword • 858 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Norman Finkelstein's book 'Gaza: An Inquest Into its Martyrdom' provides an intimate understanding of Gaza's pain and history.
  2. Finkelstein's book emphasizes the human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza, providing a compelling narrative that humanizes Palestinians.
  3. The book challenges prevailing narratives about Gaza, calls for accountability for military actions, and urges readers to confront the human dimensions of conflicts in the region.

Orban Must Go

Diane Francis • 779 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Hungary's leader, Viktor Orban, is blocking financial support for Ukraine, causing frustration among EU members. This has made talks about Ukraine joining the EU more complicated.
  2. Orban has been criticized for corrupt practices and controlling the media in Hungary. His actions might even lead to Hungary being suspended from the EU if he continues to break its rules.
  3. Ukraine's hopes for a European future depend heavily on financial support, which is now uncertain. Without this funding, winning the war and joining the EU could be impossible for Ukraine.

Natan Sharansky: Why Can’t Israel’s Leader Visit Auschwitz?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1534 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu can't attend the Auschwitz commemoration due to war crime charges from the ICC. This situation is highly ironic since it's a significant event related to Jewish history.
  2. The ICC's charges against Netanyahu have been criticized by the Biden administration as having no legal basis, but Poland has not taken action to support his attendance.
  3. Important legal concepts like 'crimes against humanity' and 'genocide' were created by Polish-born Jews after the Holocaust, which adds another layer of irony to the accusations against Israel today.

Taking Power Amidst the Turbulence (w/ Dylan Saba) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 93 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The Gaza genocide exposes the limits of the post‑World War II, U.S.‑led rules‑based order and signals a weakening of American hegemony, producing a more chaotic and unstable global balance. This erosion of norms increases geopolitical instability even if U.S. military power remains significant.
  2. Effective resistance can come from targeting strategic chokepoints—ports, supply chains, and critical infrastructure—and from building cross-border solidarity, since smaller or marginalized actors can inflict outsized impacts when they act strategically. Examples like actions at ports and Yemen’s strikes show how leverage at circulation points can matter more than conventional military power.
  3. Democracies are consolidating authoritarian measures to suppress dissent while the left has been weakened by electoral cooptation; to push back requires rebuilding militant, long‑term movements and broad solidarity networks outside reliance on party elites. Sustained grassroots organizing, labor coordination, and community institutions are necessary to pressure power and defend civil liberties.

The law of armed conflict

A Lawyer Writes • 963 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. An international lawyer spoke about Israel and Gaza in the House of Lords.
  2. Proportionality in self-defense means the force used must be proportionate to the defensive objective.
  3. The laws of war allow for siege in situations like Gaza, although obligations exist when civilians are involved.

US troops are occupying Syria's oil fields. Congress refuses to withdraw them

Geopolitical Economy Report • 737 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. US military has been illegally occupying Syrian territory since 2014, blocking access to oil and wheat, despite international criticism.
  2. The US Senate voted 13-84 against withdrawing troops from Syria, rejecting a resolution to remove troops not authorized by Congress.
  3. US continues to occupy Syria's oil fields and Iraq, with troops stationed in the region and involvement in conflicts around these areas.

EI live special: Decision at the World Court

Palestine is Still the Issue • 511 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Join the livestream to discuss the impending decision of the International Court of Justice regarding Israel and South Africa's case of genocide.
  2. Learn from guest Susan Akram, the director of Boston University Law's International Human Rights Clinic, about the implications of the court's decision.
  3. The broadcast will be available for viewing later if you miss the live stream.

International law is dying. We’ll miss it when it’s gone.

Nonzero Newsletter • 519 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. International law is losing its importance, and many people aren't paying attention to this issue. Without it, we might see more conflicts and instability in the world.
  2. The law against using force in international relations is crucial but is often ignored. This law is supposed to limit war, allowing it only in cases of self-defense.
  3. People underestimate the power of international law because it regulates behavior through shared beliefs rather than always needing enforcement. Norms can influence our actions just as much as laws do.

Rwanda bill passed by MPs

A Lawyer Writes • 530 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. A bill concerning the safety of Rwanda was passed in the UK by MPs, despite concerns about international law
  2. There were debates about human rights and Strasbourg court injunctions during the bill's passage
  3. The bill includes a provision allowing a UK minister to potentially break international law, creating a complex situation for civil servants

Houthi and the Blown Ships

Murtaza Hussain • 511 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have significantly impacted global economy and shipping insurance rates.
  2. U.S. faces a challenge in dealing with the Houthis due to their adaptability and the potential need for a regime change operation in Yemen.
  3. Focus should be on addressing conditions that fuel violence and moving conflicts to the political realm, rather than moralizing about 'Good Guys' and 'Bad Guys.'

The PRC's Legacy Bond Bomb

CDR Salamander • 884 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. In the past, many underestimated the threat from the People's Republic of China.
  2. It is crucial to address the economic leverage that the PRC holds through legacy bonds.
  3. There is an opportunity for the US to take a tough stance on the defaulted sovereign debt held by American bondholders.

Biden's Cluster Munitions Blunder

Eunomia • 884 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate and pose a threat to civilians long after a war ends.
  2. Providing cluster munitions to Ukraine may lead to more harm than good, as they can maim and kill civilians and soldiers.
  3. Exporting cluster munitions contradicts previous condemnations of their use, creating political problems and potential hypocrisy.

Is Israel Committing "Genocide" in Gaza?

Murtaza Hussain • 511 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The term 'genocide' has a specific legal definition involving the deliberate destruction of a group or part of it.
  2. In the case of Israeli actions in Gaza, public statements from officials raise questions about intent and motive for the severe suffering inflicted.
  3. An ICJ ruling of genocide against Israel could have significant international consequences, with implications for legal actions against Israeli officials and diplomatic relations.

After Venezuela, Greenland Needs A Nuke.

JoeWrote • 54 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The U.S. government is using unilateral military force and public threats to control other countries, directly violating their sovereignty.
  2. That aggressive posture is eroding international norms and reviving imperialist doctrines, while allies, the media, and domestic politicians are not effectively checking it.
  3. Facing this threat, vulnerable nations may rush to acquire nuclear weapons or strengthen their militaries as the only reliable deterrent, even though that raises global danger.

Yoink! Got Your Dictator!

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 53 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics International Law
  1. The U.S. carried out a military operation that captured Venezuela's president, a major escalation in Latin America that will spark intense domestic political and legal debate over presidential war powers.
  2. The strike puts Venezuelan oil infrastructure and exports at risk and could lift energy prices, while the administration appears likely to try to secure Venezuelan oil, adding market uncertainty.
  3. The action increases tensions with Russia, China, and regional leaders, raising the risk of a geopolitical backlash that could accelerate moves away from the dollar and amplify longer-term financial instability.