Author name: MJIL

The Power of Regulatory Takings Claims: A Note of Caution on the Pack the ISDS Tribunal Debate

By Danielle Hoffman In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries party to international investment agreements (IIAs) imposed reactive measures restricting the export of masks and other medical equipment.[1] As a result of these measures, masks and other medical equipment contractually arranged to be exported, were not.[2] Accordingly, disgruntled investors, who incurred losses from […]

The Power of Regulatory Takings Claims: A Note of Caution on the Pack the ISDS Tribunal Debate Read More »

The Biden Airstrike and the Need to Update the Legal Regime Governing Use of Force Against Non-State-Actors

By Jesse Calo On February 25, President Biden ordered an airstrike in Syria against Iranian-backed militias in response to their rocketing of U.S. targets in Baghdad and Erbil from ten days prior.[1] While President Biden asserted a constitutional basis for his authority to act, he also provided a basis for the strike under international law:

The Biden Airstrike and the Need to Update the Legal Regime Governing Use of Force Against Non-State-Actors Read More »

TikTok, WeChat, and IEEPA

By Jiaying Zhang On February 10th, 2021, the Biden Administration decided to halt two executive orders, which were signed by his predecessor, which banned social media platforms Tiktok and Wechat from the U.S. market.[1] This move will allow American users to continue their enjoyment of these communications applications, but it prevents the courts from further

TikTok, WeChat, and IEEPA Read More »

The Irony of the U.N. Resolution on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nicaragua

By Fabiola Gretzinger On March 23, 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed the U.N. Resolution on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nicaragua, urging the Nicaraguan Government to respect the basic human rights of Nicaraguans.[1] The country has faced civilian unrest and government oppression since 2018 under the “leadership” of President

The Irony of the U.N. Resolution on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nicaragua Read More »

Cyclists’ Uphill Battle for Space on Berlin’s Streets

By Andrea Rosato Berlin’s city planning exists between two identities. The city is simultaneously known for its outstanding transportation system,[1] while also being the capital of the “country of cars.”[2] Now, there is a third player seeking space on Berlin’s roads: cyclists.[3] In 2018, cyclists achieved a major win with the passage of the Mobility

Cyclists’ Uphill Battle for Space on Berlin’s Streets Read More »

The Future of Autonomous Weapons: The Need for A Strict Liability Stopgap

By Matt Nelson A recent recommendation made by the U.S. National Security Commission for AI, led by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, has urged the Biden Administration to reject any calls toward a ban on autonomous weapon systems.[1] Primarily, the panel asserts that the U.S. could use these robotic weapons in a safe and lawful

The Future of Autonomous Weapons: The Need for A Strict Liability Stopgap Read More »

Russia’s Twitter Slowdown

By Erik Allerson On March 10th, 2021, Russia’s federal agency in charge of communications and information technology, Roskomnadzor, announced via the Russian social media website VKontakte that it had deliberately slowed down internet service speed for users in the country attempting to access Twitter.[1] It claimed to have decelerated the use of Twitter on 100%

Russia’s Twitter Slowdown Read More »