The ongoing violations of international law, coupled with their impact on international legal order and peace, have prompted an interview with Dr. Gentian Zyberi, a professor of international law and human rights at the University of Oslo and director of the Albanian Society for International Law. What is the current situation regarding respect for international law?
The situation is grave, considering the continued military occupation of Ukraine by Russia, the massive crimes against the Palestinian population of Gaza, the denial of Palestinian self-determination, recent military interventions against Venezuela and Iran, and statements regarding Greenland. These specific conflicts, and the fact that approximately 120 armed conflicts exist globally according to the International Red Cross, illustrate the systemic crisis facing international legal order. Failure to resolutely support the fundamental principles of international law in these delicate moments of global reorientation could return the world to an era of colonial expansion, threatening the very existence of friendly relations and peaceful coexistence between states.
Can you provide a legal assessment of the context of some of the key global conflicts? Among many examples, the armed conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, Iran, and the diplomatic pressure regarding Greenland represent a clear departure from the basic rules of international law, reflecting and potentially normalizing illicit acts in other armed conflicts, which regrettably, are numerous. The unlawful invasion of Ukraine and the genocidal violence perpetrated by Israeli forces in Gaza have severely damaged international legal order.
The rhetoric employed by the U.S. administration, publicly abandoning its legal obligations, provides a dangerous pretext for other powers – such as Russia in Ukraine or Israel in occupied Palestine – to “double down” on aggression and international crimes, as the moral argument for upholding the rule of law weakens due to Western nations’ double standards. Furthermore, the denial of Palestinian self-determination and the military operations of the Israeli army in Gaza since November 2023 have resulted in the killing and wounding of approximately one-quarter of a million Palestinians.
The use of illegal force against Venezuela, beginning on January 3, 2026, with the “Operation Absolute Resolve” including the bombing of Caracas and the “forcible removal” and detention…
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This announcement raises serious questions about his motivations and potential implications for both the Democratic Party and the armed forces.