International Law Overview
International Law Resources
What is international law?
International law, commonly referred to as "public international law," regulates relations and activities between nations. It also contains rules regarding the operations of international organizations, such as the United Nations. In addition, it governs state treatment of individuals and juridical persons (i.e., non-natural persons, such as a corporation, association or partnership).
International law is distinct from "private international law" (also known as "conflict of laws"), which regulates dealings between individuals and juridical persons from different nations.
Note that international law refers to nations as sovereign states. In this context, sovereign states does not mean states within a nation. Furthermore, in the United States, individual states lack authority to engage in international dealings. The U.S. Constitution explicitly denies states this power, and vests it with the federal government. (U.S. Const. Art. I, § 10).
International law encompasses several areas, such as international trade, the creation and dissolution of states, use of force (regarding when a state may initiate force against another state), armed conflict ("humanitarian law", which regulates how a state conducts an armed conflict), human rights (which are set forth in several international instruments, such as the Declaration of Human Rights), refugees, crimes, environment, labor, the sea, air space, and postal services.
Show Extended SummaryFeatured Cases 
- Baghdad Booksellers, Basra Carpet Merchants, and the Law of God and Man: Legal Pluralism and ...
U. of Pittsburgh Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2008-14, Islamic Law and Law of the Muslim World Research Paper Series at New York Law School Haider Ala Hamoudi University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Columbia University Law School Date Posted: May 5, 2008 Last Revised: May 8, 2008
(May 7, 2008) - Competition in the Private Enforcement of Regulatory Law
Hannah L. Buxbaum Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington Date Posted: May 7, 2008 Last Revised: May 7, 2008
(May 6, 2008) - Staking Claims Against Foreign Defendants in Canada: Choice of Law and Jurisdiction Issues ...
Antonin I. Pribetic Steinberg Morton Hope & Israel LLP Date Posted: May 5, 2008 Last Revised: May 7, 2008
(May 6, 2008) - The Scope of Executive Power in the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction
Boston University Law Review, Vol. 88, p. 341, 2008, Boston Univ. School of Law Working Paper No. 08-17 Robert D. Sloane Boston University School of Law Date Posted: May 7, 2008 Last Revised: May 7, 2008
(May 6, 2008) - The Electronic Contracts Convention, the CISG, and New Sources of E-Commerce Law
Tulane Journal of International & Comparative Law, Vol. 16, No. 1, Fall 2007 Charles H. Martin Florida Coastal School of Law Date Posted: April 16, 2008 Last Revised: May 6, 2008
(May 5, 2008)
Legislation 
- Bill Sent To President: S.2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008
A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes.
May 01, 2008: Presented to President.
(April 29, 2008) - Bill Introduced: H.Res.1166 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding ...
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia.
(April 27, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.2917 Syria Accountability and Liberation Act
A bill to strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria, and for other purposes.
(April 22, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.Res.533 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the ...
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the political situation in Zimbabwe.
(April 22, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.Res.525 A resolution recognizing the progress made by States Parties to the ...
A resolution recognizing the progress made by States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention on the occasion of the Second Review Conference.
(April 20, 2008)
Regulations 
- Rule - Visas: Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act
Department of State
Rule
Visas:
Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act,
23067-23069 [E8-9336]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Parts 40 and 41 [Public Notice: 6202] Visas: Documentation of Nonimmigrants Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Department of State's regulations related to application for a nonimmigrant visa, to offer a completely electronic application procedure as an alternative to submission of the Form DS-156. DATES: This rule is effective on April 29, 2008. FOR FURTHER... [read document]
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(April 28, 2008) - Proposed Rule - Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: The United States ...
Department of State
Proposed Rule
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations:
The United States Munitions List,
19778-19780 [08-1122]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 121 [Public Notice 6187] RIN 1400-AC47 Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: The United States Munitions List AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Proposed Rule. SUMMARY: The Department of State is proposing to amend the text of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Part 121, to add language clarifying how the criteria of Section 17(c) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (``EAA'') are implemented in accordance with the... [read document]
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(April 10, 2008) - Rule - Documents Required for Travelers Departing From or Arriving in the United States at Sea ...
Department of State
Rule
Documents Required for Travelers Departing From or Arriving in the United States at Sea and Land Ports-of-Entry from within the Western Hemisphere,
18384-18420 [E8-6725]
Part III Department of Homeland Security Department of State 8 CFR Parts 212 and 235 22 Parts 41 and 53 Documents Required for Travelers Departing From or Arriving in the United States at Sea and Land Ports-of-Entry From Within the Western Hemisphere; Designation of an Enhanced Driver's License and Identity Document Issued by the State of Washington as a Travel Document Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Institute; Final Rule and Notice DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY [USCBP 2007-0061] RIN... [read document]
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(April 1, 2008) - Rule - North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): Amendment to the International Traffic in ...
Department of State
Rule
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations,
15885 [E8-6019]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 123 [Public Notice: 6147] Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), to clarify United States policy to allow for reexports or retransfers of U.S.-origin components incorporated into a foreign defense article to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),... [read document]
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(March 24, 2008) - Rule - International Arms Traffic in Arms Regulations, Sri Lanka; Amendment
Department of State
Rule
International Arms Traffic in Arms Regulations, Sri Lanka; Amendment,
15409-15410 [E8-5890]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 126 [Public Notice: 6145] Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Sri Lanka AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final Rule. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 (Div. J, Pub. L. 110-161), the Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) regarding Sri Lanka, to make it United States policy to deny licenses and other... [read document]
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(March 22, 2008)
Government 
- Notice - Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: Home Delivery; ...
Department of State
Notice
Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations:
Home Delivery; Fabricating the Modern Dwelling,
26185 [E8-10261]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6127] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ``Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling'' SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of... [read document]
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(May 7, 2008) - Notice - Delegation of Authority: To Submit Certain Non-proliferation Reports to the Congress
Department of State
Notice
Delegation of Authority:
To Submit Certain Non-proliferation Reports to the Congress,
25822 [E8-10112]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Delegation of Authority 304] Delegation by the Secretary of State to the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security of Authority To Submit Certain Non-proliferation Reports to the Congress By virtue of the authority vested in me as Secretary of State, including section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2651a), I hereby delegate to the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security the authority to approve... [read document]
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(May 6, 2008) - Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
Department of State
Notice
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
25821-25822 [E8-10115]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 6216] 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Agency Form DS- 4127, NEA/PI Online Performance Reporting System (PRS), OMB Control Number 1405-XXXX ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of proposed collection of information. SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of... [read document]
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(May 6, 2008) - Notice - Meetings: National Commission for UNESCO
Department of State
Notice
Meetings:
National Commission for UNESCO,
24621 [E8-9836]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 6183] U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Notice of Meeting The Annual Meeting of the U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will take place on Monday, May 19, 2008 and Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at the Marriott Georgetown University Conference Hotel, Washington, DC (3800 Reservoir Road, NW.). On Monday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 20 from 9:15... [read document]
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(May 4, 2008) - Notice - Public Hearings on Proposed New Order of Approval and Plan 2007 for Lake Ontario and ...
Department of State
Notice
Public Hearings on Proposed New Order of Approval and Plan 2007 for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River,
24345-24346 [E8-9701]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6208] Public Hearings on Proposed New Order of Approval and Plan 2007 for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River The International Joint Commission (the Commission) invites public comment on a proposed new Order of Approval and Plan 2007 for regulating the outflows from Lake Ontario through the international hydropower project between Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York. Regulation of Lake Ontario outflows affects water levels and flows on the Lake... [read document]
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(May 1, 2008)
Articles 
- Taxing Europe: Two Cases for a European Power to Tax (With Some Comparative Observations)
Columbia Journal of European Law, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2004 Agustín José Menéndez Arena, Universitetet i Oslo Date Posted: May 9, 2008 Last Revised: May 9, 2008
(May 8, 2008) - Protean Jus Ad Bellum
Veröffentlichungen des Walther-Schücking-Instituts für Internationales Recht an der Universität Kiel, 2008 Sean D. Murphy George Washington University - Law School Date Posted: May 8, 2008 Last Revised: May 8, 2008
(May 7, 2008) - Philanthropy and Law in South Asia: Recent Developments in Bangladesh, India,
Nepal, Pakistan ...
U Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 08-13 Mark Sidel University of Iowa Date Posted: May 8, 2008 Last Revised: May 8, 2008
(May 7, 2008) - Overcoming the Dysfunction of the Bifurcated Global System: The Promise of a Peoples Assembly
Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems, Vol. 9, No. 2, September 1999 Andrew L. Strauss Widener University - School of Law Date Posted: May 8, 2008 Last Revised: May 8, 2008
(May 7, 2008) - A Global Paradigm Shattered: The Jurisdictional Nihilism of the Supreme Court's Abduction ...
Temple Law Review, Vol. 67, No. 4, January 1994 Andrew L. Strauss Widener University - School of Law Date Posted: May 8, 2008 Last Revised: May 8, 2008
(May 7, 2008)
News 
RTE.ie
Sutherland warns of Lisbon vote fallout
Irish Times, Ireland - 1 hour ago
Former EU commissioner Peter Sutherland today warned that Ireland was facing a choice in the Lisbon Treaty referendum that would have “dramatic ...
Ex-Taoiseach to mark Europe Day The Press Association
Former leaders join FG to call for Lisbon Yes RTE.ie
all 11 news articles
(May 8, 2008)
CNN-IBN
Powers say atom control treaty at risk and cite Iran
Reuters UK, UK - 3 hours ago
By Mark Heinrich GENEVA (Reuters) - The five major nuclear-armed powers said on Friday the Non-Proliferation Treaty was under threat and cited Iran's ...
Iran calls for legal action against NPT violators Tehran Times
'IAEA never called Iran non-compliant' PRESS TV
Iran rejects nuclear inspections unless Israel allows them The Associated Press
Media Newswire (press release) - Reuters UKall 107 news articles
(May 8, 2008)
An Phoblacht
Another union says 'No' to Lisbon Treaty
An Phoblacht, Ireland - 1 hour ago
“If the Irish Government and the European Commission want popular support for the Lisbon Treaty they must strengthen the Social Charter and enshrine its ...
Ó Neachtain is wrong on Lisbon, says reader Galway Advertiser
all 2 news articles
(May 8, 2008)
An Phoblacht
Tony Benn speaks out against Lisbon Treaty in Dublin
An Phoblacht, Ireland - 1 hour ago
Hosted by Ógra Shinn Féin, Benn travelled to Ireland to speak at a number of meetings on the Lisbon Treaty. At a packed meeting in Trinity College on ...
Minister says yes Wicklow People
all 2 news articles
(May 8, 2008)
Radio Prague
Radar treaty to be signed in June
Prague Post, Czech Republic - May 8, 2008
By Markéta Hulpachová US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was expected to sign the treaty at an international missile-defense conference held May 5 in ...
Czech Republic, US to sign radar treaty no later than July Xinhua
Hundreds of radar opponents demonstrate outside Czech Govt Office Czech Happenings
Official: date of signing Czech-US radar treaties still unknown Xinhua
Xinhua - Xinhuaall 69 news articles
(May 7, 2008)
Blog Posts 
- Lemme get this straight: If they can't do it to you again, then you've no more fear of persecution?
Check out this item from our colleagues at ImmigrationProf Blog, summarizing an Associated Press report of a federal appellate panel's objections to the government's refusal to grant asylum to 3 Guinean women who'd been subjected to genital mutilation. Here's a sampling of last week's argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit: [T]he judges seemed particularly upset at a conclusion by the government that it was fair to return the women to Guinea because they could not...
(May 5, 2008) - On May 6
On this day in ... ... 1882, the U.S. Congress passed An Act to Execute Certain Treaty Stipulations Relating to Chinese, better known as the Chinese Exclusion Act. The United States' 1st major immigration restriction, the Act provided that Chinese "skilled and unskilled laborers and Chinese employed in mining" who tried to enter in the next 10 years would face imprisonment and deportation, and further barred Chinese immigrants from U.S. citizenship. (photo credit) ... 2002, opposition leader...
(May 5, 2008) - China's New Labor Law As Plague On All Employers' Houses.
As regular CLB readers know, I have been repeatedly preaching (right word) for some time about the massive impacts to expect from China's new labor contract law, which went into effect just this year. My consistent theme has been that disgruntled employees represented by Chinese litigators ready to pounce will bring an ill wind to all employers in China. To read some of my previous posts on this, check out the following: 1. "China's New Labor Law -- It's A Huge Deal. Huge I Tell You." (November...
(May 4, 2008) - If You Wait Long Enough, Everything Comes Back Into Style
If you wait long enough, everything comes back into style, and it seems that on the Internet the process is even faster than in fashion. Example: Hand-coding HTML is in fashion again. The article says "still", but I think it's really "again".
(May 4, 2008) - Micro-blogging election violence and malpractices in Sri Lanka
Set up a quick and dirty way to get updates from Vikalpa's islandwide network of citizen journalists on election violence and malpractices in the Eastern Province. See Vikalpa for details and our Twitter site for updates from the field. As I note in the Vikalpa post: "While we cannot check the veracity of each SMS we receive [...]
(May 4, 2008)