The current US tariff policy has become a focal point of the global trade order, signaling a restructuring of the international economic system established after World War II. The global trade regime is shifting from multilateral cooperation to a landscape increasingly defined by economic and geopolitical competition. The US domestic law is increasingly replacing multilateral mechanisms such as the WTO as the primary legal point at issue and center of gravity influencing and shaping the global trade order. In this transitional phase of order reconstruction, East Asian enterprises should allocate resources to closely monitor geopolitical developments, the US domestic politics, legal frameworks, and ideological trends. They should also establish mechanisms for geopolitical risk management and prioritize risk management over business expansion as a core strategic principle. However, this is not entirely negative; the new research, understanding, and strategic adjustments undertaken by enterprises may lay a deeper foundation for the next wave of globalization.

The US is in conflict with China over various trade issues. Although both countries agreed to temporarily suspend tariffs for the next 90 days, this trend is expected to continue after then. New related to tariffs has been a daily occurrence in the first 100 days of the Trump presidency, and yet a gap remains between the US and China that is difficult to bridge. This seems to stem from the fact that President Trump wants to “Make America Great Again” with a vengeance. In addition to implementing a new tariff system, the US seems to be moving towards supporting “strong patents” to safeguard intellectual property rights. These policies will significantly impact both the US and other nations worldwide. This article explores the external developments in the aftermath of the US presidential election and reviews current issues related to intellectual property in the US, focusing on tariff imposition and the prevailing emphasis on strong patent rights.

The increasing global economic, social, and political interdependence has led to expanding trade in goods and services. The WTO facilitates international trade by providing a nondiscriminatory trading environment to all member states. Afghanistan started the WTO accession in 2009 and joined as the 164th member on December 18, 2015. This piece examines the legal implications of the WTO membership on Afghanistan’s trade and economy. While membership will expand trade, attract foreign investment, and increase Afghanistan’s market share worldwide, it also means harmonizing domestic regulations with the WTO standards. In addition, lower tariffs on imported goods threaten local industries, leading to job losses, industrial shrinkage, and reduced government income. The study’s findings show that, despite short-term vulnerability, joining the WTO has long-term benefits such as economic growth, increased investment, reduced cost of living, and fairer trade structure.

Asian economic potential draws world attention. Recently, China challenges the US’s economic and political dominance which prompted the US-China trade war. Afghanistan and other Arab nations struggled for decades amid an informal US colony after Saddam Hossain’s fall. After the US troops left Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban took over it. Afghanistan’s trade and military advantage make it vital as middle east geopolitics alter. This has been noticed by China. China-Afghanistan military cooperation improves trade. All in Eurasia is seeing China penetrate global value networks and the Belt and Road supply chains. The 21st century’s Silk Road connects Eastern Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor. China-Afghanistan cooperation along the Wakhan Corridor is the key to the success of the Silk Road initiative. China-Afghanistan wants to use the corridor more, which has been a commerce and military battleground. The essay discusses China- Afghanistan strategic relations along the Wakhan Corridor from a legal and strategic perspective.

This paper explores the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, focusing on the West Bank and Gaza after 1967. It employs a qualitative research approach, analyzing primary and secondary sources to examine the legal ramifications of Israel’s ongoing occupation and settlement expansion, which violate international law. The findings highlight that, despite various international resolutions, Israel continues its unlawful presence. Key legal rulings, such as the International Court of Justice’s decision of July 19, 2024 and a UN General Assembly resolution in September 2024, reaffirm the illegality of Israel’s actions. Nonetheless, Israel has ignored these calls for withdrawal and persists in expanding settlements. The paper argues that the UN member states must enforce international legal rulings and hold Israel accountable through international courts. It advocates for the imposition of economic and diplomatic sanctions by the UN Security Council to curb settlement expansion and dismantle existing illegal settlements, emphasizing the need for coordinated international efforts to achieve justice for Palestine.

This study examines the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s Self-Certification of Origin mechanism through two key phases. From 1993 to 2015, ASEAN strove to establish a common market and deepen economic integration. During this period, it introduced various pilot projects to enhance trade, streamline certification procedures, and experiment with trade facilitation initiatives. Following the official establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the focus shifted towards harmonizing trade procedures, enhancing regional coordination, and standardizing customs processes. These efforts culminated in the launch of the ASEANwide Self-Certification (AWSC) in 2020. In Vietnam, however, the implementation of AWSC has faced significant challenges. Despite these obstacles, the country has taken proactive steps to integrate AWSC into its trade system by issuing domestic regulations and guidance from regulatory authorities. This study explores the specific difficulties Vietnam faces in implementing AWSC and proposes recommendations to enhance its effectiveness.

The selection of topics to be included in the long-term program of work is a part of the working methods of the International Law Commission. A good selection of topics provides a good start to the Commission’s work and fulfills its double function of the progressive development and codification of international law. The process of selecting works for the longterm program of work now faces numerous challenges such as the appearance of new areas of international law and the increased engagement of States and international organizations in the preparation of new conventions outside the Commission’s channel. The challenges call for further improvement of criteria for the selection of works to preserve and enhance the quality of the Commission’s work. This article will briefly highlight the process of the selection of works in the Commission’s history and focus on the implementation of criteria for the selection of topics used during various times, and their advantages and limitations.

Aviation safety is critically dependent on effective communication, particularly in the English language, which serves as the international language of aviation. This paper explores the significance of proficient English language communication among aviation professionals and its impact on operational safety. Effective communication in aviation involves various factors such as lack of accent, perfect listening skills, effective hearback and readback procedures, and more. Additionally, English language efficiency in aviation is closely related to emotional stability and the ability to manage stress, both of which are crucial in highpressure environments. The research will also look into the regulatory challenges faced by the aviation industry in standardizing and enforcing language proficiency requirements by the International Civil Aviation Organization and other international institutions. Through a thorough review of existing regulations, industry practices, and case studies, this paper highlights the steps taken to improve communication skills among pilots, air traffic controllers, and other key aviation professionals.

This article critically assesses the role of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) in enforcing International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The ICC was designed to ensure accountability for severe IHL violations. However, its operational capacity faces significant challenges, particularly its reliance on state cooperation for enforcement and political resistance. This article explores the Court’s jurisdiction, the principle of complementarity, and its investigative processes while analyzing resistance from nonsignatory states such as the US, China, and Russia. The US sanctions against the ICC especially with President Trump’s executive order of February 6, 2025, will exemplify the ongoing tension between state sovereignty and international accountability. Additionally, the article highlights issues within the Rome Statute, including ambiguities regarding state cooperation, jurisdiction, and immunity, which affect the Court’s efficacy. Despite some successes in prosecuting high-profile leaders, the ICC’s credibility remains a matter of debate due to its limited enforcement, inconsistent state support, and continued political resistance.

Recent global efforts to combat climate change have accelerated, with nations adopting carbon strategies such as carbon taxes and emission trading system (ETS) to support their net-zero commitments. These initiatives enable governments to enforce mitigation while maintaining their dual goal of fostering economic growth. Vietnam, a developing country, has emerged as a proactive participant by launching a national ETS, drawing from international best practices and domestic geographical advantages. This article examines the process and challenges involved in designing and implementing an ETS in Vietnam, exploring the necessary policy frameworks, institutional structures, and market mechanisms. It highlights key considerations such as the selection of sectors and entities to be covered, the allocation of emission allowances, and the establishment of new market management solutions. This article concludes with strategic recommendations to support the development of a successful and sustainable ETS mechanism in developing country like Vietnam.

The escalating impacts of climate change are compelling individuals to flee their homes, giving rise to a new category of refugees known as climate refugees. Despite clear evidence linking climate change to forced migration, the protection of these refugees’ human rights remains unaddressed by any existing international legal framework. This paper explores the necessity of embracing a new comprehensive international legal framework tailored to climate refugees. It advocates for a legal framework that addresses prevention and remedies the issues faced by climate refugees and ensures their human rights are safeguarded. We also argued that the Comprehensive International Legal Framework should have a collective obligation to safeguard the rights of climate refugees on the global scale and to provide a solution that integrates the various rules of law, meets humanitarian needs, and is tailored to the protection of the rights of climate refugees.

The development of offshore wind energy plays a pivotal role in Taiwan’s transition to a lowcarbon economy. To secure the profits of substantial investments in offshore wind energy, long-term contracts are essential. However, supervening incidents could halt, damage, or destroy offshore wind projects. Force majeure clauses serve as a preventive mechanism to address these unforeseen risks. Despite their significance, contract drafters often overlook the importance of force majeure clauses. This article contends that offshore wind developers and the Taiwanese government should collaborate as partners to carefully draft force majeure clauses in offshore wind contracts, ensuring proper allocation of unforeseen risks. By examining the concept of force majeure under the CISG and Taiwanese law, this article proposes fundamental elements and a model clause for force majeure in offshore wind contracts.

During the period of 1959 to 1984, North Korean false propaganda led over 90,000 ethnic Koreans and their families to migrate from Japan to North Korea. Once in North Korea, the migrants suffered severe discrimination and human rights abuses. For decades, there was little prospect of justice for these abuses. In recent years, however, survivors of this migration who escaped North Korea have renewed efforts to gain some type of recognition and compensation. This note reviews three of these attempts: lawsuits in Japanese and South Korean courts, as well as a petition that was brought before the Korean Truth and Reconciliation Commission. While each of these avenues has helped bring to light the truth of North Korean deception, more work remains to be done with respect to collecting compensation.

More than 5 billion people will use the Internet and social media by the end of 2024 and global influencer marketers reached USD 24 billion in early 2024. A regulation is thus needed to protect domestic consumers from the negative effects of global influencer marketing, such as deception, hidden advertising, and information uncertainty. Can the current legal framework effectively protect domestic consumers from misleading or deceptive and illegal advertising conducted by influencers through social media platforms from outside of their jurisdiction This essay first examines social influencing and explains how social influencers operate across national borders. It then discusses domestic legislation governing social influencers in China, Japan and South Korea and discusses why these domestic frameworks provide scant protection for consumers against false advertising and misinformation originating in another country. Finally, this essay proposes an international solution to a problem that will only increase size and severity in the future.

Under Trump and Biden, the US trade policy has veered away from its traditional approach, developed since World War II, from multilateralism to focusing primarily on national and unilateral concerns. At the center of this approach have been tensions with China. This includes a renewal of industrial policies, protectionism and, most importantly, reliance on national security, manifested by newer and unexpected geopolitical developments. The discussion of trade policy today has become very toxic, especially during this presidential campaign season, with its renewed focus on tariffs. The trade debate in the US is now entering a new stage with the nomination of Kamala Harris and J.D. Vance. I believe the US drift away from the postwar policies of promoting global trade and investment will continue. Nationalist and protectionist policies will continue as part of a new economic and industrial policy, fused with national security concerns and rhetoric, no matter who wins.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza strip has resulted in significant humanitarian crisis, with civilians often bearing the brunt of violence. This article critically examines the role of IHL in the protection of civilians affected by the armed conflict. The study focuses on key IHL principles, including distinction, proportionality, and precaution, and assesses their application by the parties involved. It employs an analytical and descriptive research methodology. The findings reveal that both Israel and Hamas have committed numerous violations of IHL, including indiscriminate attacks and failure to protect civilian populations. Despite the clear legal frameworks set by IHL, the lack of accountability and enforcement has hindered its effectiveness. The author concludes that while IHL provides a robust legal framework for civilian protection, the political complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict severely limit its implementation, leaving civilians vulnerable. The research calls for stronger international mechanisms to ensure compliance with IHL and improve civilian protection in the region.

Following the attack on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, Israel declared war on the Gaza Strip. In the relentless and nonstop bombardment of the Gaza Strip, about 40,000 Palestinian civilians have lost their lives, the majority of whom were children and women. Additionally, more than 92,000 Palestinians have been injured and many more are still missing or under the rubble. The dire situation in the Gaza Strip requires a firm stand from the international community, as what is happening to the Palestinian people is nothing short of genocide. This paper discusses Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip and illustrates how these actions meet the criteria for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It also discusses the case filed by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice, alleging that Israel has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

The increase in space activity has contributed to a convergence of cybersecurity and outer space at a critical moment in the digital era requiring a thorough examination of the threats to space-based assets and the protective measures required. As satellites and space technology become integral to global operations, their сyber security is parаmount given their vulnerability to cyber espionage, interference and attacks. This paer highlights the significance of technological advancements and their dual role in improving space systems while also introducing new vulnerabilities. It explores varied national cybersecurity practices focusing on space stakeholders such as the US, the EU, China, Russia and UAE, revealing the global strategies employed against cyber threats. Moreover, the importance of laws and regulations such as the Outer Space Treaty in countering cyber attacks and emphasising the need for agile legal frameworks to address cybersecurity challenges in outer space is also examined. Moreover, the paper addresses complex issues of cybersecurity in outer space, particularly innоvation, collaboration and legal reforms.

The death penalty is a controversial topic due to its implications for human rights, particularly the right to life, considered a fundamental right. Some argue that the death penalty violates this right, while others believe it is a form of justice for severe crimes. This research explores the debate between the death penalty and human rights using a normative, juridical method and literature review. Some countries still practice the death penalty, while others have abolished it, citing concerns about justice and fairness. The criminal justice system often exhibits disparities, with marginalized groups facing higher rates of execution than wealthier or majority individuals. These inequalities challenge the principle of equality before the law and the integrity of justice. Efforts to reform include restricting or abolishing the death penalty due to concerns about law enforcement abuse, judicial errors, and ineffectiveness in deterring crime. The debate over its place in justice systems remains ongoing.

North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs have been a concern of the international community for many years. In response to North Korea’s first nuclear test in 2006, the Security Council adopted one of the most controversial sanctions regimes in the history of the UN. After further nuclear tests in 2009, twice in 2016, and in 2017, the Security Council unanimously adopted even more new resolutions according to Chapter VII of the UN Charter, condemning North Korea’s behavior and demanding, inter alia, that it refrains from future nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The Security Council has tightened these sanctions over the years with a total of 10 resolutions. The UN sanctions imposed on North Korea raise many political, ethical, and legal questions. This article tries to answer them from the perspective of international law by examining the legal limits of the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.