Sun Jan 26 18:10:18 UTC 2025: ## International Law Scholars Tackle Pressing Global Issues in EJIL:Talk! Series
**The Hague, Netherlands** – The European Journal of International Law’s (EJIL) blog, EJIL:Talk!, has published a series of articles examining a range of complex legal issues at the forefront of international relations. From the legality of former US President Trump’s actions to the implications of climate change on statehood, the articles offer insightful analysis from leading international law scholars.
Several posts analyzed the actions and statements of former US President Donald Trump. Marko Milanovic scrutinized the legality of Trump’s pronouncements regarding annexing Greenland and seizing the Panama Canal, finding them potentially unlawful under international law’s prohibition of intervention. Separately, Ekaterina Antsygina refuted Trump’s questioning of Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, asserting its strong legal foundation under international law. Philippa Webb and Daisy Peterson examined the US Supreme Court’s ruling granting Trump absolute immunity for official acts, highlighting its potential conflict with international law’s approach to state immunity and accountability for serious crimes.
Other articles focused on broader international legal challenges. Jannika Jahn and Marlene Letsch explored the potential role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in addressing climate change, noting the delicate balance between upholding existing legal frameworks and enforcing accountability for emissions. Luciano Pezzano delved into the erga omnes nature of human rights obligations in the context of climate change, emphasizing the ICJ’s potential to clarify these legal issues. Kerttuli Lingenfelter analyzed the ICC Prosecutor’s new policy on slavery crimes, highlighting its importance for addressing contemporary forms of slavery.
The blog also featured articles on pressing geopolitical issues. Samit D’Cunha, Tristan Ferraro, and Tilman Rodenhäuser cautioned against the misuse of ambiguous terms like “hybrid threats” to obfuscate legal assessments of armed conflict. Dominic Bielby discussed the case of Kerajaan Malaysia v. Lawyers for Liberty, examining Singapore’s application of its online misinformation laws extraterritorially. Toni Selkälä and Shorena Nikoleishvili analyzed Georgia’s constitutional crisis and the implications of international recognition for its legitimacy. Finally, Jean-Baptiste Dudant and Géraldine Giraudeau explored the legal challenges facing sinking island states due to rising sea levels, underscoring the need for international legal innovation.
The EJIL:Talk! series provides a timely and crucial examination of the evolving landscape of international law and its application to pressing global challenges. The articles offer valuable insights for policymakers, legal scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between national sovereignty, international law, and global governance.
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