Comment on the 3 questions outlined below,each of which deal with theregime of"international public tribunals"--quasi-governmental international legal bodies.

• The International Court of Justice(ICJ)seeks to resolve controversies between nations.There is no enforcement mechanism.
• The World Trade Organization(WTO)has a dispute-settlement function that seeks to resolve trade disputes between nations based on violation of WTO free-trade principles.If a party does not respect the WTO decision, the WTO rules authorize the other countries to retaliate with trade sanctions.
• The International Criminal Court providesa mechanism for the trial and punishment of suspected war criminal and human rights offenders.While the ICC(not to be confused with the other ICC,the International Chamber of Commerce)does not have its own police force,it may issue requests for the arrests of suspected individuals,and if these individuals are turned over to the ICC,they will incarcerate and try the defendants and if convicted,hold the convicts in detention.

The easiest way for you to research the following questions is to conduct your own web research,which should begin by going to the websites of the3organizationsinvolved and conducting searches.

In order to show you understand the types of actions these courts carry out,express your opinion on three well-known controversies involving these tribunals:

1)ICJ held Israel in violation of international law for building a wall between Israel and the Palestinian territories.Despite this,the Wall is still there.What does this tell us about the strengths and limitations of ICJ?What does it tell us about hopes for long-term peace in Israel and neighboring countries?

2)Some people have argued that WTO revealed an anti-environmentalist bias by over-ruling U.S.regulations meant to protect sea-turtles.Do you agree?Do you think WTO should incorporate rules for fightingclimate change?Is there a current treaty that governs international efforts on climate change?Are its provisions binding?

3)Should the U.S.have joined the International Criminal Court?