'My OpEd today for the Washington Post - International law protects not only noncombatants,

[elleng]

but also our own military forces. This week National Security Advisor John Bolton issued a searing condemnation of the International Criminal Court. Not only did he declare that the U.S. government would refuse to cooperate with it, but — extraordinarily — he also threatened its leadership and those working with it.' #nationalsecurity

General Wesley Clark

John Bolton is dead wrong. The U.S. has every reason to cooperate with the International Criminal Court.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/09/21/john-bolton-is-dead-wrong-the-u-s-has-every-reason-to-cooperate-with-the-international-criminal-court/?utm_term=.4dbf4829c6a3

[guillaumeb]

1. Many US politicians see any International Law as an infringment on US sovereignty.

Or rather, US dominance on the world stage.

Recommended.

[elleng]

2. Yes, have done for years.

[guillaumeb]

3. But even General Clark says:

The truth is that the United States has always tried to act within the bounds of international laws and expectations, as we have interpreted them.

The bolding is mine, and illustrates part of the problem.

[elleng]

4. I assume every nation would do the same.

[guillaumeb]

6. And if there is a consensus,

and the US position is at variance with the consensus, such as the prohibition on torture that the Bush Administration ignored, the limits of International Law are exposed. Especially as regards the most powerful nation on Earth. But in general Clark argues that International Law is a good thing, and I do not argue with that position.

[PoliticAverse]

5. I would change that to...

whenever it suits us.

[guillaumeb]

7. And I would not disagree.

The most powerful nation is in a position to ignore what it finds inconvenient.