International Law Commons^™

The Frozen Sleeping Giant: How The U.S. Can Awaken To Arctic Challenges And Advance Its Northern Interests, Daniel White

Graduate Research Conference (GSIS)

For much of human history, the Arctic Ocean was persistently inaccessible to mass trade and transportation. With warming global temperatures, the ice of the Arctic Ocean is slowly giving way to navigable ocean, and creating new opportunities for states wanting to take advantage of the upcoming maritime access. With U.S. adversaries like Russia and China pursuing their Arctic interests, one would assume that the U.S. is hard at work at reinforcing its Arctic territory. Despite the United States being the global hegemon, scholars have remained puzzled as to why the U.S. has continued an apparent apathy towards the Arctic. This …

Soft Law, Activism, And Climate Displacement: Rethinking International Protections For The Environmentally Displaced, Guljannat Huseynli, Andrea G. Brown

Graduate Research Conference (GSIS)

Climate change is displacing millions of people globally, yet those forced to migrate due to environmental factors remain unprotected under existing international refugee law. This paper argues that legal recognition for climate refugees can emerge not through immediate treaty reform but through the evolution of soft law and norm creation. Drawing on constructivist theory, it examines how activism, international organizations, and legal precedents contribute to shifting global norms. Through case studies such as Ioane Teitiota v. New Zealand and the Fridays for Future movement, the paper shows how strategic litigation and advocacy can build momentum for future legal protections. It …

The Trump Administration’S Recent Removals To El Salvador Violate The Prohibition On Transfer To Torture, Rebecca Ingber, Scott Roehm

Online Publications

Several of our colleagues have already provided excellent analyses of the fast-evolving legal and factual questions presented by President Donald Trump’s pretextual and abusive invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to transfer to El Salvador 238 Venezuelan men who it alleges are members of the Tren de Aragua gang. We are writing to flag a separate issue that this case has created, one that applies to anyone removed from the United States under any authority: the administration is sending people to a country where there is a quite significant risk they will be abused. Whatever the authority the administration might …

Table Of Contents, Seattle University Law Review

Seattle University Law Review

Table of Contents

Re-Imagining Tomorrow: A Technology, Innovation Law, And Ethics Symposium On Addictive Technology And Children, Margaret Chon

Seattle University Law Review

In this Foreword, Professor Margaret Chon introduces Seattle University's Technology, Innovation Law, and Ethics (TILE) program, the 2024 TILE Symposium, and Dr. Gaia Bernstein’s Unwired: Gaining Control Over Addictive Technologies.

Keynote Address: The Movement To Protect Kids From Addictive Technologies, Gaia Bernstein

Seattle University Law Review

In this keynote address, I describe my personal journey starting with a school outreach program I created in 2017 to address technology overuse among kids. While I initially advocated for self-help methods, I grew to recognize that the tech industry bore responsibility. This realization led me to write Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies, which focused on collective action to pressure the tech industry to redesign its addictive products.

I then describe the movement to control addictive technologies and protect kids, which has gained momentum since the end of the pandemic. This movement combines grassroots parent activism with legal-political action. …

Moral Panic Or Public Health Crisis? Lessons From Drugs And Gambling For “Addictive” Design, Matthew B. Lawrence, Haomin (Kevin) Yan

Seattle University Law Review

Alcohol, automobiles, guns, lottery, loot boxes, meat, music, opioid painkillers, processed foods, prop bets, slot machines, television, tobacco, violent video games. Over the last century each of these has been subject to concerns—some might even say “moral panics”—from parents and policymakers about avoidable harms to kids and adults. In some cases we look back with the benefit of hindsight and dismiss those concerns as naïve or moralistic. In others we look back at them as justified or as having come too late to check an expanding industry before it did unfathomable harm while growing so powerful that it became all …

Responding To Digital Addiction, Ned Snow

Seattle University Law Review

In Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies, Professor Gaia Bernstein calls our attention to the growing problem of digital addiction. Digital addiction may sound like something out of a science-fiction novel or something that does not raise the same sort of real-life practical concerns as are present in a physical health crisis or an economic decline. But as Bernstein presents the evidence, we learn that the consequences of digital addiction can be just as harmful as a serious disease or a financial depression. Cognitive development disorders, anxiety, emotional depression, social isolation, and other mental health ills can be debilitating—as much …

The Ai Doppelgänger Dilemma: Cloned Voices In The Music Industry, Elizabeth Shields

Seattle University Law Review

With the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), there has been an influx of “voice clones”—deep-learning algorithms that create synthetic speech to realistically mimic human voices. Celebrities and, in particular, music artists, have been subjected to the proliferation of AI voice clones on social media platforms like TikTok and streaming platforms such as Spotify. Despite music utilizing AI voice clones having amassed much popularity, this technology can be harmful and highly invasive to musicians whose livelihoods often depend on their distinct voices. While legal scholars have attempted to articulate various rights that could protect a person’s voice, individuals are largely …

Let The Sunshine In: Crafting Constitutional Transparency Regulations For Content Moderation, Caitlin Ring Carlson

Seattle University Law Review

In response to public concern about the impact of social media, legislators in some U.S. states have developed laws to regulate the process of content moderation. Many include mandatory transparency and disclosure requirements, some of which courts have already deemed an unconstitutional infringement on social media platforms’ right to free expression. This article explores the parameters for crafting constitutional social media transparency regulations using existing U.S. media policy and insights from recent legal challenges. The resulting analysis identifies content neutral transparency requirements that mandate the disclosure of purely factual, non-controversial information as those most likely to withstand judicial scrutiny. Specifically, …

This Is Not A Game: The Addictive Allure Of Digital Companions, Nizan Geslevich Packin, Karni Chagal-Feferkorn

Seattle University Law Review

Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents have become an inescapable part of modern childhood, reshaping education, leisure activities, entertainment, and social interaction. From AI-powered tutors that adapt to individual learning styles to emotionally responsive chatbots that simulate human companionship, these systems promise unprecedented personalization, cognitive stimulation, and social support. However, these benefits mask significant risks that remain unregulated and inadequately addressed.

Although adults are also susceptible to forming deep emotional bonds with AI companions—often trusting them as if they possessed genuine understanding and empathy—children are particularly vulnerable. Their misplaced trust can more severely distort social development, weaken critical thinking, and foster unhealthy …

Was The Niit A Treaty Override?, Reuven S. Avi-Yonah

Law & Economics Working Papers

Three court decisions have recently addressed the interaction of the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) and US tax treaties. The issue was whether the treaty provided an independent basis for crediting a foreign tax against the NIIT, because no such credit is available under the Code. First, in Toulouse, the Tax Court held that there was no treaty based credit. Second, in Christensen, the Court of Federal Claims held that a treaty-based credit was available, distinguishing Toulouse. Third, in Bruyea, the Court of Federal Claims issued a broader opinion that allowed the credit. Importantly, Bruyea addressed an issue that was …

Political Psychology As Applied To The Israeli Palestinian Conflict, Michael J. Reimer Dr

Department of Political Science and Law Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The of the field of study of Political Psychology can be a useful tool in analyzing both the Israeli Palestinian conflict and the attempt to resolve it in the twenty-first century.

The Principle Of Sustainable Development In International Investment Law: A Study From Vietnamese Perspective, Long Tran Thang, Anh Le Tram Pham

Indonesia Law Review

International investment significantly contributes to economic development by fostering hunger eradication, poverty reduction, job creation, and the introduction of new technologies and services. However, it also presents challenges, including resource degradation, environmental decline, waste generation, and human rights violations. This article emphasizes integrating sustainable development principles into international investment law to balance investor and host country interests while safeguarding the environment and human rights for long-term sustainability. In Vietnam, a nation increasingly integrated into the global economy, legal frameworks stipulate sustainable development principles for foreign-invested projects, aligning with international standards to protect the environment and people alongside economic and social …

Cruz Sánchez Et Al. V. Peru, Rachana Reddi

Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review

No abstract provided.

Maine’S Arctic Future: Balancing Economic Opportunity, Geopolitical Risk, And Legal Responsibility, Emily Elmore

Ocean and Coastal Law Journal

This Paper explores the dynamic intersection of climate change, geopolitical strategy, and economic development in the rapidly changing Arctic landscape, focusing on existing legal paradigms and Maine’s unique position as a pivotal player in this context. Maine, with its historic ties to the Arctic, scientific partnerships, and strategic location as the northernmost port on the United States East Coast, is well-placed to capitalize on emerging economic opportunities. However, these opportunities are accompanied by substantial risks, including climate change impacts, operational challenges in the harsh Arctic environment, and geopolitical tensions among rival states vying for influence in the region. This Paper …

Gaps In Accountability For Submarine Cable Protection: Inadequacies In The Current Legal Framework, Martin Kwan

Ocean and Coastal Law Journal

Submarine cable protection has become a hotly discussed topic as the risk of damage has dramatically increased amidst wars and geopolitical tensions. This Article critically analyzes six gaps in accountability for cable protection. First, there is no civil accountability for non-territorial damage. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows no residual jurisdiction, and the English case of Virgin Media Ltd. v. Joseph Whelan reasoned that the absence of exclusive jurisdiction to lay cables in those waters means no civil jurisdiction by the coastal state. But this Article argues that it is an exclusive right, taking …

Detention Of Foreign Seafarers And Vessels: Pollution Prevention Or Piracy?, Edward Maccoll, Marshall Tinkle

Ocean and Coastal Law Journal

The purpose of this Article is to interrogate the legal basis for holding foreign crewmembers against their will in connection with APPS prosecutions. Part I examines the underlying justification for prosecuting foreign vessel owners for foreign conduct under APPS. It first discusses the international anti-pollution regimen from which APPS emerged. Next, the Article explores the handful of cases in which APPS prosecutions have been challenged and for the most part sustained, and then offers a critique of the rationale for such prosecutions. Part II explores the lawfulness of the techniques to detain foreign crewmembers and press those crewmembers into the …

Exploring Outer Space: The Role Of Private Companies, Ankita Joshi

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review (CICLR) Blog

Over the past two decades, discussions about the future of outer space have often gone hand in hand with the role that private space companies, such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab, have had in transforming the space industry. Outer space has quickly developed into a competitive commercial landscape, a contrast to initial space law activity that focused on exploration.[1] With this shift, questions have arisen about whether current international space treaties provide adequate protections for space governance between states and private entities, and the protection of outer space resources.

This post was originally published on the Cardozo …

Public, Private, And In-Between: The Future Of Healthcare, Kwadwo Amponsah

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review (CICLR) Blog

Health insurance is a type of insurance policy that provides coverage for a predetermined set of medical risks over a specified period. A health insurance policy is an agreement between an insurance provider and an individual, wherein the provider commits to covering pre-determined medical expenses, while the individual pays a fixed monthly premium (which may vary depending on the terms of the agreement). Upon acceptance into this plan, the consumer becomes part of a risk pool, which is further categorized into low-risk and high-risk segments. One’s risk assessment provides information regarding their propensity to need more medical services, and this …

Mapping State Reactions To The Icc Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu And Gallant, Rebecca Ingber

Online Publications

On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it had issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the former defense minister, in connection with alleged crimes committed in the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas. In doing so, the Court rejected as premature Israel’s challenge to the Court’s jurisdiction. The Court’s decision to issue a warrant for the sitting Prime Minister of a state, which is notably not a party to the Rome Statute, also demonstrates the Court’s embrace of its prior controversial decision on immunity, namely that customary international law does …

The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine: A Crime Of Aggression, Karen Glikman

Cardozo International & Comparative Law Review (CICLR) Blog

November 19, 2024 marked 1000 days since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.  There is an ongoing debate as to whether the invasion can be classified as a crime of aggression. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 3314 defines aggression as “the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations, as set out in this Definition.” Article 3 of this resolution outlines specific acts that constitute acts of aggression per se. Russia's February 2022 invasion of …

Ending The Ai Race: Regulatory Collaboration As Critical Counter-Narrative, Tiffany C. Li

Villanova Law Review (1956 - )

No abstract provided.

“Hippo” Law Law And The Biodiversity Crisis Of Habitat Loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, Population, And Overharvesting, Andrew W. Torrance, Bill Tomlinson

UC Law SF International Law Review

This article explores the critical issue of biodiversity loss through the lens of the “HIPPO” acronym coined by Edward O. Wilson: Habitat loss, Invasive species, Pollution, Population, and Overharvesting. It examines the ecological and social ramifications of declining biodiversity and assesses existing legal frameworks aimed at mitigating these threats. Furthermore, the article proposes innovative legal mechanisms to address each HIPPO factor, offering a legal approach that spans many different domains. By integrating comparative legal analysis and suggesting forward-looking legal reforms, this work aims to contribute to the conservation efforts essential for sustaining biodiversity in the face of escalating environmental challenges.

Slow But Steady Wins The Race: The Rise And Rise Of Euroscepticism., Katy Rotzin

UC Law SF International Law Review

This paper analyzes Euroscepticism in the European Union with a focus on two member-states Italy and France. This paper discusses the history of Euroscepticism in Europe, immigration law and economic policy in the European Union as it pertains to both the New Pact on Migration and Asylum and the Stability and Growth Pact, which were both negotiated or renegotiated in 2023. Euroscepticism is a wide sweeping political movement, and this paper does not analyze every aspect, but only seeks to magnify two issues that have plagued the EU since its inception. This paper argues that Euroscepticism will clearly rise with …

Masthead

UC Law SF International Law Review

No abstract provided.

Defining Pacifism: Article 9’S Role In Japan’S National Defense And Global Commitments, Dylan Kaito Fackler

UC Law SF International Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Primacy Of International Treaties In The Republic Of Kosovo: A Critical Review Of The Kosovo Constitutional Court Case No. 95/13 Through The Lenses Of The Law Of Treaties, Besfort T. Rrecaj

UC Law SF International Law Review

In 2013, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo (the Court) issued an important verdict in its constitutional review of the first agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. In its obiter dictum, the Court made conclusions regarding the relationship between international treaties and domestic law, and the hierarchy between these two norms as well as signature, ratification, and entry into force of treaties. Ten years post-judgment, this research returns to the Court’s arguments presented by the Court and argues that the Court made significant mistakes in its arguments and therefore made erroneous interpretations in its rather short arguments of the judgment. Using well …

Olympic Dreams Dashed: Arbitrating Seconds, Grams, Identity, And Time At The Paris Olympic Games 2024, Maureen A. Weston

Nevada Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Bringing Together The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities And The Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples In Canada, Constance Macintosh

Dalhousie Law Journal

This article explores the relationship between the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) with regards to the situation of Indigenous persons with disabilities living in Canada. In particular, it considers how the obligations and responsibilities identified under the UNDRIP and the CRPD can be interpreted and realized in a manner that is complementary and may amplify the likelihood of the goals of each instrument being realized. An explicit goal is avoiding the exclusions and erasures which arise when single identity politics dominate, which …