The International Criminal Court (ICC) is once again under attack from the United States, driven by Washington's insistence on maintaining impunity for its citizens amid credible allegations of involvement in international crimes. Since before the ICC became a fixture on the global stage, the US has sought to subvert its work, particularly under Republican administrations.

Republican officials, including former national security adviser John Bolton, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have been fixated on the ICC despite it never having issued a warrant for any American citizen. This ongoing opposition is significant in light of recent withdrawals from the court by Venezuela and Chad, both reportedly influenced by US pressure.

Critics argue that it will not be former President Trump who ultimately undermines the ICC, but rather the court’s alleged supporters who refuse to take decisive action to defend it. They suggest that countries like Lebanon could leverage ICC membership as a multilateral platform to resist external pressures, including those from the US, and to uphold the rule of law.

The US appears aware that its efforts alone cannot dismantle the ICC, highlighting the need for stronger international cooperation to preserve the institution’s role in global justice.

Source: Al Jazeera

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