The Last Word with Matt Cooper Does International Law Mean Anything Anymore?
Jan 7, 2026
This discussion features Aoife O'Donoghue, a Professor of Law at Queen's University Belfast with a focus on international law and its challenges. They delve into the weakening prohibition on the use of force, particularly regarding US actions in Venezuela, questioning if these violate international norms. Aoife highlights how powerful nations twist narratives to justify military interventions. They also touch on Greenland's self-determination and the legal implications of US interests, revealing the complexities of international law in today’s geopolitical landscape.
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Use Of Force Norms Are Crumbling
- International law functions for most routine interactions but its core prohibition on the use of force is eroding.
- Aoife O'Donoghue warns the norm against unilateral force is crumbling after recent state behaviour.
Question Executive Self-Defence Claims
- States and publics should scrutinize executive claims of self-defence before accepting military action.
- O'Donoghue says the US action regarding Venezuela cannot legitimately be read as self-defence under the UN Charter.
Power Redefines Legal Language
- Powerful states now reframe legal language to justify interventions, echoing imperial-era power politics.
- O'Donoghue contrasts post‑WWII sovereign equality with today's rhetoric from the US, Russia and others.