The Biden Administration and International Law
Channel: War Studies KCL
Date: 19/01/2021

Professor Jose Alvarez discusses the incoming Biden administration’s attempt to restore respect for international law and how its institutions will be constrained by eight foreign policy trends that will outlast President Trump:

- A preference for alternatives to new multilateral treaties;
- A more hostile approach towards China;
- Deep skepticism of the world trading system;
- Reliance on punishing ‘bad’ actors through trade sanctions;
- Circumspection towards the UN system;
- Avoidance of most international courts and tribunals;
- Aversion to ‘never-ending’ wars and resistance to humanitarian use of force (RIP for R2P);
- ‘Ironclad’ commitments to Israel’s security.  While Biden will moderate each of these, his international law ‘restoration’ will be tempered.  It will not consist of a return to the Obama-era status quo.

With Chair Maria Vakari and discussant Professor Gerry Simpson.