Legal or Just? The Tension at the Heart of International Law

International law is never purely legal — it is shaped by power, values, and political choices. In this episode, I examine the tension between legality and legitimacy through key moments like Iraq, Kosovo, and the Soering judgment, showing how states often justify their actions either by appealing to the law as it is, or by claiming to defend a higher sense of justice.These examples help illustrate a central question: should international actors obey the law simply because it is law, or because it reflects shared principles and moral responsibility? And what happens when those two do not align?This podcast is not about delivering final answers, but about thinking openly and critically. The goal is to understand, question, and reflect — acknowledging that our views can grow and change over time, just as international law itself continues to evolve.Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.