Merz statements raise an interesting strategic issue: do leaders have to speak up in public (which Merz decided not to do, clearly they had decided that in advance) or is it better and more efficient if they speak up in private. Spain certainly was irritated by Merz.
I am very grateful to Sally Langrish, Legal Adviser to the FCDO, to comment on my inaugural lecture at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna on "International Law without Law". If you are curious... www.youtube.com/live/FUCSw-9...
An interview with the indefatigable, formidable @oonahathaway.bsky.social. @asilorg.bsky.social is fortunate to have her as president-elect at this critical moment in time. verfassungsblog.de/the-unwillin...
"No stupid rules of engagement ... no politically correct wars" US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth
Apart from the obvious absurdity of his statement, this is exactly the same lie that Putin told to his population.
The blockade of the strait of Hormuz seems to bite
A reminder that international law and rules of engagement are there for a reason - and if you simply dismiss them, things like these become more likely www.reuters.com/world/middle...
And here we go, states attack Trump’s 122 duties www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-t...
That sounds like Orban has been demoted to a law clerk and is now creating weird EU law hypos.
It read that as a reference to your impressive hair…
The support of international law by the population is more solid than politicians' statements seem to indicate.
US IEEPA Tariff refunds - the hearing showed the irritation of the judge with the delay - and with the argument that this is all complex. In fact, the judge pointed out that computers exist when the government argued they'd have to go through everything manually.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
It is quite astonishing to remember the Iraq war, the demise of a brutal dictator there, the principled opposition of France and Germany, the chaos and regional instability that followed vindicating French and German opposition - and to see only Sanchez have the courage to take a stance.
The EU has the tools to stand up to the US (read anti-coercion instrument) and I read @olofgill.bsky.social's statements to mean it is ready to use them if Trump really blocks all trade with Spain because Sánchez dares criticize him. The EU has to stand together.
(Perdí un montón de confianza en políticos estos años pero sigo con la esperanza que non mentiría sobre esto en una entrevista)
In the sense that Metz alleges that he did that. I am not a fan, but at least in this regard I still have faith that he wouldn’t lie on that.
Verdad - pero si es verdad (y espero que lo es) hacerlo en privado es más efectivo por lo agresivo que Trump es en público.
One positive aspect of Merz’ visit to Trump: he confronted Trump on his threat to cut economic ties with Spain and told Trump Spain cannot be excluded from the US-EU deal. Trump apparently claimed he could use Spanish basis without consent if he wanted. www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-...
La Tagesschau reporta que este último punto no es completamente correcto y que el afrentó la amenaza de cortar las relaciones economicas y dijo a Trump que no puede excluir España de un tratado con la UE. www.tagesschau.de/inland/merz-...
NEW: A federal appeals court swiftly rejected the Trump administration’s request to delay next steps in the fight over tariff refunds for importers after the US Supreme Court struck down the president’s signature economic policy
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The American Society of International Law has published a statement on the US Use of Force against Iran
One quick point on legality, as the UK rightly points out Iran attacking countries that did not participate in US action in turn gives rise to self-defence
Spain does not allow uses of its airbases for the US-Iran war. They flew to Ramstein - any comment on the German government’s stance?
Immunity is likely to still pose a problem. I didn't follow in detail which assets precisely are at issue here.
Some news from the Yukos award, the largest ISDS award ever made... www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
It sounds like not having a plan for what comes afterwards is sold as an advantage…
One of the many problems of public debate is that some thrive on the problems created by one conflict, then thrive on driving the next conflict pretending problems don’t exist, then thrive on the problems again. Commentary is cheap and being utterly wrong repeatedly does not lead to consequences.
The US science crisis deepens
One cannot help but have the impression that China is building the future.
China removes all tariffs for imports from 53 African countries starting May 1. www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
