Although International Law Has Its Place, It Can’t Prevent the Horrors of History from Repeating

Jan. 17 2025

One of the lessons of the war that now might be coming to an end—if it were not already clear—is the extent to which international law and its institutions can be wielded as weapons against Israel. Aharon Friedman analyzes the deluded thinking that has created this situation:

International law helps set parameters and settle disputes between lawful countries committed to following the law. [But] World War II and the Holocaust were the result of geostrategic power balances, hatred, tyranny, and appeasement, not inadequacies of international law. . . . International law did not prevent Iran’s proxies from invading Israel on October 7 or Putin from invading Ukraine, and it does not result in “human rights for every person.”

Moreover, Friedman writes, Israel’s efforts to protect itself from the International Criminal Court (ICC) by expanding the power of its judiciary has itself caused problems:

The ICC ignores its own complementarity requirement, the rule that it must defer to countries whose own justice systems are addressing military misconduct. Israel has an extremely strong such system. . . . Led by Aharon Barak, Israel’s judiciary and legal bureaucracy have seized enormous power from elected governments in what Barak himself has described as a “constitutional revolution.” Attempts even partially to restore the authority of elected officials are met with arguments as to how this would cause Israel to fail ICC complementarity.

Read more at Federalist Society

More about: Aharon Barak, IDF, International Law

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait