The international legal order faces a deepening crisis, according to leading legal scholar Andreas Zimmermann of the University of Potsdam. Zimmermann, speaking to the Mediengruppe Bayern, argues that the erosion of adherence to international law is accelerating, particularly due to a concerning shift in the United States’ approach.
Zimmermann pointed to the recent US military action against Venezuela and the justifications presented by US representatives at the United Nations Security Council as emblematic of this troubling trend. Critically, he observes that the US is increasingly abandoning even the pretense of legitimizing its actions under international legal frameworks.
The comments echo a recent statement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who described the legal assessment of the US intervention in Venezuela as “complex” and stated a need for careful consideration within the framework of international law. Zimmermann sharply rebuked this assessment, arguing it misrepresents the clarity and precision of international legal principles. “The international legal order is sufficiently precise” he stated. “It is not as ‘highly complex’ as the Chancellor suggested. It’s a relatively straightforward matter that demands a clear judgment.
This critique extends beyond the Venezuelan situation. Zimmermann directly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a clear and unambiguous violation of international law, reinforcing the assertion that the perceived complexity surrounding international legal rulings is often a deliberate obfuscation.
While acknowledging that nuanced debates inevitably arise regarding specific interpretations, Zimmermann insists that these complexities do not fundamentally undermine the integrity and coherence of international law. His commentary suggests a growing concern within the legal community about the politicization of international law and the potential for its further erosion if powerful nations continue to disregard or selectively apply its principles. The implications for global stability and the future of the rules-based international order are substantial.
