International Law in Foreign Policy (ILFP)

The core theme of the ILFP program is the role and influence of international law in foreign policy. It tackles fundamental questions about the relationship between law and politics, and how international law is created and practiced in international politics.

In recent years, international law and international lawyers have taken a prominent position in foreign policy discussions, for better or for worse. International law has been used and abused to justify the major international events and issues of our time, such as terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, but also environmental degradation, human rights and legitimate governance. The law itself is in flux and several paradigm shifts appear imminent.

The ILFP program tracks, highlights and clarifies political and public discussions on issues of international law in foreign policy for those involved in foreign policy decision-making, as well as the general public. In addition, the program focuses on the practitioners of international law and their perspective on their own role in shaping international law and foreign policy. Through this approach, the Vitoria Institute aims to identify new emerging rules and principles that set the parameters for foreign policy and guide decision-making processes.

Research project: Legal advisers in foreign policy

One of the consequences of the controversial decisions and actions in the so-called War on Terror, was the focus on the role of lawyers in controversial areas of foreign policy. Indeed, lawyers were central to those interrogation techniques used on terror suspects that were later labeled as torture. The same lawyers, such as John Yoo, have even come under threat of national prosecutions around the world for international crimes. Moreover, recent national investigations in the UK and the Netherlands on Iraq have revealed the embattled position of legal advisers in government when advising on matters of international law.

This research project tracks the increased exposure of legal advice and legal advisers to public scrutiny and analyses the perceptions and responsibilities of legal advisers in foreign policy and related areas.

Research Project: Foreign Policy in the 2012 US Presidential Elections

2012 is election year in the United States. This short-term research project seeks to analyze the foreign policy proposals of both the incumbent Barack Obama and the GOP candidate, still to be named. In short pieces, the main proposals related to international law and foreign policy will be presented and commented on, as well as their possible impact on the international system considered. Through this project Vitoria Institute seeks to bring foreign policy and practice together in an accessible manner for all interested.