Discussing the International Criminal Court.
Choose one of the following statements and make a 250-word written argument in support of it, citing specific examples.
(1) What could the United States do to help legitimize the International Criminal Court (ICC) to better hold rogue nations accountable for war crimes?
OR
(2) What should be changed in the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to address the United States' concern that joining the court harms our national security interests and places our troops at the mercy of our enemies.
Full Answer Section
Furthermore, the U.S. could increase its cooperation with the ICC on specific cases that align with its national security interests and values, particularly those involving rogue nations and individuals responsible for widespread atrocities. For instance, the U.S. could share relevant intelligence, evidence, and expertise with the ICC Prosecutor in cases where there is credible evidence of war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity committed by leaders of states that harbor terrorists or engage in destabilizing actions. A recent example where such cooperation could be beneficial is in the investigation of alleged war crimes committed in conflicts where the U.S. has a vested interest in promoting stability and accountability.
Such selective cooperation, even without full ratification of the Rome Statute, would lend significant weight to the ICC's investigations and prosecutions, demonstrating its practical value in achieving justice. This pragmatic engagement could gradually build trust and understanding between the U.S. and the Court, potentially paving the way for a more normalized relationship in the future and ultimately strengthenin
Sample Answer
Argument in Support of Statement (1): United States Actions to Legitimize the ICC
The United States could significantly help legitimize the International Criminal Court (ICC) to better hold rogue nations accountable for war crimes by shifting its stance from opposition and non-cooperation to cautious engagement and conditional support. A key step would be for the U.S. to formally acknowledge the ICC's crucial role in addressing the most heinous international crimes when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to do so. This could involve high-level statements from the President and other officials recognizing the ICC as a court of last resort and expressing support for its mandate in principle.