On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti If Trump broke international law, so what?
Jan 12, 2026
Rebecca Hamilton, a law professor and former ICC attorney, and Scott Anderson, a Brookings Institution fellow and ex-diplomat, tackle the legality of Trump's strike on Venezuela. They discuss the effectiveness of international law enforcement and whether recent events signal a decline in its power. The conversation delves into the nuances of the UN Charter, the crime of aggression, and the potential costs of U.S. actions on the global stage. Both experts emphasize the urgent need to defend the rule-based order and explore ways to uphold international norms in challenging times.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Law Depends On Collective Will
- International law lacks a domestic-style enforcement police and depends on states' collective choices to uphold it.
- When powerful states ignore rules, the system risks becoming 'might makes right' rather than law, Rebecca Hamilton warns.
UNGA As An Alternative Check
- The UN Security Council can be blocked by permanent members, so the General Assembly and collective state action matter.
- Rebecca Hamilton points to the 140-state UNGA vote after Russia invaded Ukraine as a model of non-Security-Council response.
Act Early Through Collective Measures
- States should use the UN General Assembly to condemn clear breaches and follow with targeted sanctions and diplomatic measures.
- Rebecca Hamilton urges early action to prevent deterioration and uphold law over power.
