International Law and U.S. Foreign Policy

In recent history, remarkable changes have taken place in international law. This book analyzes the relationship between international law, including the U.N. Charter, and present-day American foreign policy. From the competing perspectives of unilateralism and multilateralism, the book deconstructs terrorism, concerns for national security, American courts best suited for the trial of detainees and unlawful combatants, and fears that some governmental responses have crossed constitutional boundaries. It contains an advanced assessment of all new international criminal tribunals as they deal with genocide, crimes against humanity, the laws or customs of war, and aggression. The on-going U.S. policy concerns for peace in the Middle East and the presence of a totalitarian regime in Iraq are also presented with a focus on disputed and contending legal and political perspectives. Other chapters deal with climate change and land mines. An addendum deals with the role of the private citizen in the formation of foreign policy. International Law and U.S. Foreign Policy can serve as a textbook and will also be of interest to concerned voters.