Legitimacy
15 Articles
AI Needs Accountability. We Can’t Rely on Companies and Governments Alone.
In a functioning democracy, citizens don’t fear who is in power because rules, not rulers, hold sway. The same principle should govern the future of AI.
What the Current Crises Facing Iran Mean for Human Rights and Rules on the Use of Force
The human rights crisis in Iran reveals the limits of a legal system designed to restrain force even when restraint carries profound human costs.
When the Warning Bells Ring: Judicial Awareness in War
By heeding the warning bells and embracing a do‑no‑harm principle, international courts can denounce abuse while preserving the credibility of international justice.
International Human Rights and Criminal Courts and the End of War
The relationship between international courts and States shapes how they provide accountability, build peace, and respond to backlash.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s War with the Rules of Engagement
Hegseth’s attack on the ROE demonstrates a dangerously limited – and legally incorrect – view about these rules and what they are for.
Syrians’ Pursuit of Freedom and Self-Governance: Prioritizing a Locally-Driven and Incremental Approach to Constitutionalism
Syrian policymakers should pursue a locally-driven and incremental approach to constitutionalism for a more cohesive and just future.
Remaking Iraq: How Iranian-Backed Militias Captured the Country
The U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003 brought about a painful and gradual transition from dictatorship to deeply flawed parliamentary democracy. This story is now…
Southeast Asia’s Leaders Should Work Toward a Freer Internet
Southeast Asia’s heads have begun to gather in Cambodia for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where they will also be joined by other world leaders…
The Politics of the ECCC: Lessons from Cambodia’s Unique and Troubled Accountability Effort
"For all its problems and shortfalls, the ECCC has managed to sentence a head of state for genocide. In a region where authoritarianism is on the rise, the significance of this…
Dancing with the ‘Devil’ in Iran: Why Negotiations with Tehran are Necessary
The United States cannot destroy Iran’s nuclear ambitions with bombs, and it will not go to war in the Middle East to impose regime change in Tehran.
The War in Ukraine and the Legitimacy of the International Criminal Court
Atrocities following the Russian invasion highlight the urgency of international justice - and underscore the need to fully and consistently fund the Court.
Between Legitimacy and Control: The Taliban’s Pursuit of Governmental Status
Recognition of a government involves calculations of both law and politics. What factors will influence States' response to the Taliban?