On Pirates, PMSCs, and Signature Strikes

The media’s coverage of maritime piracy has changed markedly as of late. In 2010, stories characterized piracy as a ballooning problem with pirates’ changing tactics outpacing those of international navies. The result was a marked increase in attacks and hijackings. Today, however, stories are more likely to focus on diminished profits in the insurance industry, … Read more

Critical Analysis: The Consequences of Artistic Expression in Putin’s Russia

On August 17, 2012, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich, and Maria Alyokhina, members of the Russian punk band, Pussy Riot, were found guilty of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” and sentenced to two years in a penal colony for their open protest of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. The band argued that their political protest, which involved the … Read more

Kiobel Oral Argument: Piracy May Spell Trouble for Shell

The Supreme Court opened up its October term with a healthy dose of international law in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Shell. The petitioner, Esther Kiobel, is bringing suit against Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) alleging that the oil company aided and abetted the Nigerian government in committing gross human rights violations in the oil rich Ogoni … Read more

Critical Analysis: Disbanding Libyan Militias

According to USA Today, President Mohammed el-Megaref called for “all of the country’s militia to come under government authority or disband.” This move appears to be aimed at harnessing popular sentiment against the militia groups around the country. Since the revolution last year that saw such groups topple Dictator Moammar Gadhafi, there has been public … Read more

International Law Carries the Day in the Nevada Supreme Court

Earlier this month, the Nevada Supreme Court became only the second US court to recognize its consular obligations under international law articulated by the International Court of Justice.  Yes, that’s right; Nevada’s high court responded to the ICJ’s call in Avena and Other Mexican Nationals to review certain cases for prejudice stemming from violations of foreign nationals’ consular rights.  This … Read more

Critical Analysis: The World’s Continuing Disinterest in Syria

It’s true – China, Russia, and Assad have quite the love affair. It’s no secret that Russia and China blocked the Arab League’s request to the United Nations Security Council for intervention in Syria because of their own national interests. Russia loves selling AK-47s to Bashar al-Assad. China enjoys a monopoly over Syria’s imports. But … Read more

Discussion: A Path to Peace in North Korea

Yesterday, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law hosted Eric Sirotkin, a widely regarded peacebuilder and mediator who has worked to resolve conflict in the Koreas and South Africa (to name just a few).  Earlier this year, he presented a Peace Conference hosted by the North Korean government.  He created a twelve-step plan to … Read more

Critical Analysis: NATO Drawdown is Eclipsed by Evolving Taliban Strategy

  Two years ago the Taliban held large strips of Afghanistan predominately in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand.  In response, NATO padded their forces with an additional 33,000 Marines and Army soldiers to combat the Taliban in these areas.  The last of these “surge” troops left Afghanistan September 21 after accomplishing their objective … Read more

Critical Analysis: Uproar Over Gambian Executions

Gambia, a small country in West Africa, was once a leader in its region working towards abolishing the death penalty in law and in practice.  Up until recently, the Gambian government had not executed anyone under the death penalty for about thirty years.  However, on August 19, 2012, President Yahya Jammeh announced implementation of a … Read more

Critical Analysis: Germany’s Bailouts – What Might This Mean for Spain?

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court approved Chancellor Angela Merkel’s proposal to support the bailout plan for the 17 countries in the euro zone: the European Stability Mechanism (“E.S.M.”).  The ESM, a continental version of the International Monetary Fund, will handle bailouts and work with the European Central Bank to buy the bonds … Read more