Defending the International Legal Order with guest Sabine Nölke

Send a textIn this episode of Lex Pacificatoria, Michael speaks with Sabine Nölke, former Canadian Ambassador and a seasoned international lawyer, about her extensive diplomatic career, the evolution of Canadian foreign policy, and the future of multilateralism. Sabine reflects on her role in providing guidance to the government in drafting key international treaties, the challenges of creating accountability mechanisms, and the personal qualities needed to succeed in diplomacy today. She shares candid insights into Canada’s shifting alliances in the Trump 2.0 era, the erosion of trust and expertise in international relations, and why she remains cautiously optimistic about international law’s enduring role.Produced and hosted by Michael Campbell https://x.com/Campbell_M_JSponsored by the Western Academy for Advanced Research's 2025 theme "Exploring Possibilities for Peace in the 21st Century"Western Academy for Advanced Research: https://uwo.ca/academy/index.htmlExploring Possibilities for Peace in the 21st Century: https://uwo.ca/academy/themes/possibilities_for_peace/index.htmlFollow on X: https://www.x.com/westernuacademy Connect with Sabine Nölke online:BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/snolke.bsky.social/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sabine-nolke-🇨🇦-3041b727Substack: https://substack.com/@canuck21Think your recent work fits the theme of the podcast? Complete the guest form if you would like to be featured. https://bit.ly/42Y4hIsGet in [email protected]://www.lexpacificatoria.orgX: https://x.com/pacificatoriaInstagram: https://bit.ly/LexInstagramPatreon: https://bit.ly/LexPatreon© Michael J. Campbell 2025Time codes0:00 Why pursue international law?5:04 Establishing a career8:47 Achievements 13:10 Important of mentors 15:55 Canadian identity 18:22 Return of expansionism 20:22 Loss of American allyship22:05 Art of persuasion 24:31 Working with Trump27:25 Trump 2.030:17 Acknowledging bias 30:55 Threats to security 33:47 International criminal justice36:09 Optimism 38:24 Does international law work?40:58 Advice for future diplomats 43:08 Be interested in the world43:47 Be wary of grand narratives Support the showX: https://x.com/pacificatoriaInstagram: https://bit.ly/LexInstagramPatreon: https://bit.ly/LexPatreon