Weekend Roundup: May 10, 2014

A busy week on Opinio Juris with a book symposium on Just Post Bellum-Mapping the Normative Foundations. Kristen introduced the great definitional debate on the meaning of “just post bellum” (JPB). Jens Iversion contrasted JPB with transitional justice and Ruti Teitel discussed JPB as transitional justice. Jens Ohlin argued in his post that ideas about omission liability are stumbling blocks towards the acceptance of JPB. Where Eric de Brabandere offered a normative critique of JPB in international law, James Gallen was more optimistic that there was value in an interpretative conception of JPB. Jennifer Easterday focused on peace agreements as a framework for JPB, and Christine Bell explored the dynamics that have led to all these overlapping conceptualisations of international law’s role in post-conflict situations. Cymie Payne discussed the concept of environmental integrity central to her chapter and Dov Jacobs explained the thinking behind his chapter on the central role of sovereignty in JPB. Greg Fox shared his thoughts on how JPB discussions can navigate the unilateral/multilateral divide. James Pattison examined who has a duty to rebuild after a war and Carsten Stahn finished the symposium with a post on JPB and the ethics of care.

The Al-Nashiri prosecution also attracted commentary with Kevin expressing surprise at Judge Pohl’s order that hazarding a vessel is a war crime and arguing that the attack on the USS Cole did not take place in an armed conflict. David Frakt also wrote a guest post on the existence of an armed conflict in the Al-Nashiri case.

In another guest post, Hayk Kupelyants advanced an alternative interpretation of pari passu clauses.

Of our other regular bloggers, Julian discussed how Colombia’s Supreme Court had apparently followed the US Supreme Court’s lead in denying that ICJ judgments are self-executing under domestic law, and Peter evaluated the looming constitutional challenge against the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

Finally, Jessica wrapped up the news and I listed events and announcements.

Many thanks to our guest contributors and have a nice weekend!