Minnesota Journal of International Law

The Minnesota Journal of International Law is a student-led publication at the University of Minnesota Law School. We aspire to be a leader in the multidisciplinary study of international and comparative law. The Journal annually publishes two print volumes and one online edition.

Current Issue

MJIL Blog

Long Road Ahead of Saudi Arabia

November 1, 2018

By Cindy Shi, Staff Member On October 2, 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who wrote for The Washington Post entered the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul and was never seen again.[1] He was trying to obtain documents to marry his fiancée, Hatice Cengiz.[2] Turkey alleges that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, while Saudi Arabia […]

Will Trump Pursue an Illegal War with Iran?

October 22, 2018

By Will O’Connor, Staff Member Since abandoning the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action-also known as the Iran nuclear agreement-the Trump administration has pursued an implicit policy of encouraging regime change in Iran.[1] The administration demanded that Iran abandon much of that nation’s foreign policy before the United States will lift sanctions.[2] The Trump administration’s […]

Volume 28 Masthead

October 10, 2018

MJIL’s 2018-2019 Masthead is now online. Take a look at the staff member and editors who are working on Volume 28.

Jus Post Bellum: Justice After the War

August 11, 2018

See the 2017 Symposium page for information about the speakers, panels, and for video content from the most recent symposium.

Travel Advisories: The New, “Simplified” System to Help Americans Understand Travel Information

May 15, 2018

John Robinson, Staff Member On January 10, 2018, the United States Bureau of Consular Affairs implemented a new system for issuing travel advisories and travel alerts.[1] The new scheme replaces a system that has been in place for nearly forty years.[2] The Department of State began issuing travel information in the form of notices, bulletins, […]

The Disproportionate Impact on Victims of Nazi-Looting by the D.C. Circuit’s Interpretation of the FSIA

March 27, 2018

By Lauren Graff, Staff Member While 70 years have passed since the end of WWII, heirs of persecuted victims of Nazi Germany are still litigating for the return of their property, and several recent claims have required naming foreign states as defendants.[1] It is vital these claimants be given every opportunity for justice. That is […]

International Arbitration: A Potential Legal Dispute Resolution Regard China’s One Belt One Road Initiative Construction

March 27, 2018

By Jiang Bian, Staff Member On May 14, 2017, President Xi Jinping of China outlined plans to fund China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative.[1] OBOR’s official name is “The Silk Road Economic Belt (“Belt”) and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road (“Road”),”[2] and it is a global project seeking to coordinate trade routes on both […]

Korea Inc.: Punishing Corporate Executives in South Korea

March 27, 2018

By Sean Choi, Staff Member On February 5, 2018, the South Korea Appeals Court reversed the lower court’s decision, letting the heir of Samsung, Jay Y. Lee, walk free out of jail.[1] The decision frustrates many South Koreans who believed that putting one of the most powerful businessman in jail would be an important milestone […]

Ripple Effect: Far Reaching Consequences in the Wake of Re-opening Ireland v. United Kingdom

February 20, 2018

By Emily Ortlieb, Staff Member In 1978, the European Court of Human Rights (“ECtHR”) ruled in Ireland v. United Kingdom that the five interrogation techniques used by the British government on Northern Irish nationalist detainees amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment, but not torture.[1] Ireland had claimed that said torturous acts had been authorized at […]

Allard v. Barbados: Utilizing Investor-State Dispute Settlement to Promote Environmental Protection

February 20, 2018

By Lauren Fleming, Staff Member Protests held around the world on February 4, 2016 against the ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) were another sign of growing discontent against market liberalization and multilateral free trade agreements.[1] Labor groups and environmentalist were among the most vocal opposition groups, denouncing the erosion of labor standards and environmental […]