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.

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MJIL Blog

U.S. Soldier Sallies Across Demilitarized Zone, North Korea Declares “New Cold War”

November 8, 2023

Madeleine Kim, University of Minnesota Law School   On July 27, 2023, the United States (“U.S.”),[1] United Nations,[2] the Republic of Korea (“ROK” or “South Korea”),[3] and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK” or “North Korea”) marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement[4] which ended active hostilities in the […]

Residency Requirements Don’t Lie: Why Shakira is Facing up to Eight Years in Prison for Tax Evasion

November 8, 2023

  Lexi Shields, University of Minnesota Law School   Shakira, the Colombian pop star known for iconic Latin hits such as “Whenever, Wherever” and “Hips Don’t Lie,” finds herself in the public eye for more than just her music career—for several years, she has been in a legal battle involving allegations of tax evasion.[1] The […]

Name, Image and Likeness: The New Struggle Facing International Student Athletes

October 17, 2023

Rachel Pederson, University of Minnesota Law School   The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) implemented a policy allowing students-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness, but international students-athletes are subject to visa regulations restricting them from doing so. In June 2021, the Supreme Court upheld a Ninth Circuit injunction against rules promulgated […]

Joining the Dark Side of Ocean Shipping: How Sanction Busting Ships Undermine The West’s Support of Ukraine

September 25, 2023

James Kile The open ocean has long been a chess board in the struggle for nations to gain and maintain influence.[1] From piracy, war, and trade, the world’s oceans have often been a battleground of international political strategy.[2] The dark side of the ocean shipping ecosystem is one of many recent challenges faced by Western […]

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vol. 33 Masthead

June 26, 2023

Preventing and Responding to Disputes in International Surrogacy: Exploring Better Future Options for LGBTQ+ Couples

May 9, 2023

Eric Quintana-Snyder As reproductive technology has improved in the past decade, the popularity of surrogacy has soared, becoming an increasingly popular option for LGBTQ+ couples who wish to have children. Many individuals and couples therefore have turned to international surrogacy arrangements to fulfill their dreams of parenthood. In fact, the industry is expected to grow […]

Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ Bill: A New Wave of Homophobia, a Remnant of Colonialism, or Both?

April 27, 2023

Sierra Paulsen On March 21st, Uganda passed sweeping legislation to further criminalize the LGBTQ community.[1] In a near unanimous 387 to 2 vote, Uganda’s Parliament approved the bill, which outlaws identifying as LGBTQ and bans “promoting and abetting homosexuality” and “conspiracy to engage in homosexuality.”[2] While Uganda is no stranger to homophobic rhetoric and already […]

Tiktok, ChatGPT, and the Need for International Data Regulating in the Cyberspace World

April 15, 2023

Anastasiya Kadukov Whether it’s the algorithms of TikTok or the AI of ChatGPT, technology is becoming more sophisticated every day. The world is changing, and emerging technology is surpassing society’s expectations. These platforms are transforming our relationship with the Internet and one another. Through these everchanging accelerated times comes a lot of fear and lack […]

Unexpected Fallout: How the United States’ Cold War-Era Nuclear Testing in the Marshall Islands Affects Current Foreign Policy

April 11, 2023

AnnaLisa Hamann Following months of negotiations surrounding the Compact of Free Association (COFA) renewal,[1] the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 12, 2023.[2] According to the U.S., the new MOU “confirms the shared desire to strengthen the special partnership between our nations.”[3] The […]

Protests Continue to Roil France as President Macron Ponders Pension Changes

March 29, 2023

Thorin Wenner On March 23, there were chaotic scenes in Paris as police clashed with anarchists and other protesters in the French capital.[1] This was the ninth successive day of protesting, and they were not just limited to Paris; train and air travel across the country were disrupted by protests.[2] The intensity of the government […]