• Deter human rights abuses
  • The ICC can help deter would-be war criminals and other perpetrators of serious crimes.
• Support the rule of law
  • The ICC is a court of last resort that can help hold those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide accountable.
• Promote global peace
  • The ICC can help maintain the rules-based international order and prevent illegal warfare.
• Support the U.S.-led international system
  • Supporting the ICC can help ensure the long-term viability of the U.S.-led international system.
• Supporting Resources
  • Vindman Article
  • Coalition for the ICC
  • Council on Foreign Relations
  • Sample Affirmative Constructive

• Constitutional issues
  • The ICC would try U.S. citizens for crimes that are already under the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts, and without the protections of the Bill of Rights. The ICC's civil law system would also be foreign to U.S. traditions and standards, and would not include the right to a trial by jury.
• Sovereignty
  • Ratifying the ICC Treaty would be a surrender of U.S. sovereignty and the right to self-government.
• Threat to national security
  • The U.S. could face politically motivated charges from the ICC, and its enemies could file charges against U.S. officials for military actions or civilian deaths. The U.S. would also have to defend itself against frivolous charges, or face international pressure to prosecute its own officials.
• Violation of consent
  • The ICC grew out of a consensus across international society, but the U.S. did not join the Rome Statute that established it. International rules should only bind nations that consent to them.
• Unfair application of the law
  • The U.S. has supported the ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine, but has taken a different stance when it comes to an ally like Israel.
• Supporting Resources
  • Heritage Foundation
  • The Casey Paper

The United States should accept the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because it would:

• Support national security
  • The UNCLOS would help the U.S. Navy move forces around the world's oceans. It would also preserve the U.S. military's right to use the oceans for national security.
• Advance economic interests
  • The UNCLOS would help the U.S. commercial vessels carry cargo and would give the U.S. a role in shaping international maritime laws.
• Protect the marine environment
  • The UNCLOS would promote the health of the world's oceans and establish procedures for marine scientific research.
• Provide legal certainty
  • The UNCLOS would provide legal certainty over the U.S.'s natural resources, including its extensive coastline, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and outer continental shelf.
• Strengthen sovereignty
  • The UNCLOS would codify the U.S.'s property claims in the Arctic and on its EEZ.
• Resources
  • Brookings Institute Brief
  • Council on Foreign Relations Overview
  • Navy JAG Corps
  • Center for Progressive Reform
  • Sample Affirmative

• Sovereignty
  • Some believe that UNCLOS would undermine U.S. sovereignty by giving the United Nations ownership of the high seas.
• Liability
  • The U.S. could be held liable for environmental damage in international courts.
• Technology transfer
  • The U.S. could be required to transfer technology.
• Royalties
  • The U.S. could be required to pay royalties to the International Seabed Authority.
• Taxes
  • The United Nations could impose taxes on U.S. citizens.
• National security
  • UNCLOS could restrict the U.S.'s ability to conduct maritime activities.
• Bureaucracy
  • UNCLOS would give international and national bureaucracies more regulatory power.
• Cost
  • UNCLOS could impose unnecessary costs on American taxpayers.
• Lawsuits
  • UNCLOS could expose the U.S. to frivolous lawsuits
• Resources
  • Brookings Institute Brief
  • Council on Foreign Relations Overview
  • Heritage Foundation #1
  • Heritage Foundation #2
  • Various
  • Freedom Alliance