Congress September 18, 2020 Secretary of State Pompeo: US will protect citizens and defend sovereignty against international court The International Criminal Court, in its present form, is inherently susceptible to political bias, manipulation and corruption.
ISIS August 19, 2020 Why no ISIS member has been charged with genocide or sexual violence for crimes against Yazidis In August 2014, the world watched in helpless horror as ISIS operatives swarmed Yazidi-majority villages in and around Sinjar Mountain. Thousands of men were slaughtered on the spot and thousands of girls and women and carted off into sexual slavery.
Hong Kong August 14, 2020 China's national security law triggering radical transformation of Hong Kong's human rights Despite pledges from top Hong Kong officials that the draconian national security law, which contains 66 articles and criminalizes succession and subversion, to terrorism and collusion, would only impact a small fraction of the seven million population, almost every facet of the once independent enclave – from education to civil society to technology – has been radically transformed in just over a month.
Saudi Arabia August 6, 2020 Ex-Saudi intelligence official accuses Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in lawsuit of ordering torture, assassination A former Saudi minister of state and intelligence official has filed an explosive lawsuit against Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, alleging that he “orchestrated an ongoing multi-year conspiracy by a Saudi government-sanctioned ‘death squad’ to torture and assassinate” the ex-intel officer on both U.S. and Canadian soil.
Africa July 24, 2020 Ethiopian government restores Internet after weeks of blackout during deadly protests Internet was finally restored by the Ethiopian government on Thursday, following weeks of blanket shut-down as unrest punctured much of the East African nation.
China July 14, 2020 China accuses US of 'inciting confrontation’ in South China Sea China accused the U.S. of meddling in relations between China and Southeast Asian countries Tuesday.
Middle East July 14, 2020 28 Hezbollah missile launch sites detected in civilian areas, highlighting its 'human shield' tactic in Lebanon Hezbollah is continuing to bolster its cache of weapons by storing them in more urban, densely-populated locations throughout Lebanon, a new study has revealed.
China July 3, 2020 China appoints Communist Party hardliner to oversee Hong Kong's new security office Just days after a draconian national security law went into effect in Hong Kong this week, Beijing has appointed a hardline, controversial Communist Party figure – Zheng Yanxiong – as chief of the new office, set up to ensure the sweeping new changes are implemented.
Afghanistan June 15, 2020 Why US is trying to curtail ICC investigation over 'war crimes' in Afghanistan The U.S. government made it clear in March that it would not cooperate with an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. military and intelligence personnel in Afghanistan, and late last week, the Trump administration doubled-down on its stance by issuing an executive order that paves the way for ICC employees and their families to be barred from entry to the United States, and slapped with economic sanctions.
Russia June 15, 2020 American Paul Whelan receives 16-year Russian jail sentence: report A Russian court sentenced an American to 16 years in prison on spying charges a sentence he rejected as political.
International Law June 11, 2020 Pompeo, Esper, Barr announce authorization of sanctions against International Criminal Court officials Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and Attorney General Bill Barr announced Thursday that the U.S. will authorize economic sanctions against members of the International Criminal Court who improperly target U.S. officials and American allies -- which comes after an executive order from President Trump.