Mona Paulsen
@monapaulsen.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in International Economic Law, LSE Law School. Specialisation in international trade law and economic security, in addition to research and teaching interests in international investment law, international development, and IPE.
Pinned
Mona Paulsen
@monapaulsen.bsky.social
· Aug 12
Happy to share my publication, The Past, Present, and Potential of Economic Security, in 50 Yale Journal of International Law 222 (Summer 2025), now available on Hein Online (DM if you cannot access through your local libraries). My thanks to the student editors who worked hard on this publication.
The end of “depoliticisation” arguments about the creation of ICSID then?
January 4, 2026 at 12:13 PM
The end of “depoliticisation” arguments about the creation of ICSID then?
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
“The International Law Association’s Committee on the Use of Force differs, arguing that “an armed attack that is not part of intense armed fighting, is not part of an [international] armed conflict” as outlined by Agnes Callamard here www.justsecurity.org/67949/the-ta...
The Targeted Killing of General Soleimani: Its Lawfulness and Why It Matters
Analyzing the killing of Soleimani from an international law standpoint is the main framework through which the extra territorial use of force ought to be assessed.
www.justsecurity.org
January 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM
“The International Law Association’s Committee on the Use of Force differs, arguing that “an armed attack that is not part of intense armed fighting, is not part of an [international] armed conflict” as outlined by Agnes Callamard here www.justsecurity.org/67949/the-ta...
Not the Upside Down.
Oil empire.
Check out the work by Noel Maurer, Emma Ashford, and Daniel Immerwahr.
Oil empire.
Check out the work by Noel Maurer, Emma Ashford, and Daniel Immerwahr.
January 4, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Not the Upside Down.
Oil empire.
Check out the work by Noel Maurer, Emma Ashford, and Daniel Immerwahr.
Oil empire.
Check out the work by Noel Maurer, Emma Ashford, and Daniel Immerwahr.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
The US invasion of Venezuela and capture of Maduro raises some of the clearest violations of international law we’ve seen in decades!
I've broken down the international law issues in this brief post:
www.simplelaw.blog/p/the-us-cap...
I've broken down the international law issues in this brief post:
www.simplelaw.blog/p/the-us-cap...
The US Capture of Venezuela’s Maduro: A 3-Minute International Law Breakdown
By Yusra Suedi (PhD, Assistant Professor of International Law at University of Manchester)
www.simplelaw.blog
January 4, 2026 at 11:13 AM
The US invasion of Venezuela and capture of Maduro raises some of the clearest violations of international law we’ve seen in decades!
I've broken down the international law issues in this brief post:
www.simplelaw.blog/p/the-us-cap...
I've broken down the international law issues in this brief post:
www.simplelaw.blog/p/the-us-cap...
Exactly. A doctrine sets a stable course, often backed by practice and principles. A stable, long term approach.
There’s too much inconsistency and unknowns to presume a plan.
Calling the invasion doctrine extends legitimacy. But it should be questioned.
There’s too much inconsistency and unknowns to presume a plan.
Calling the invasion doctrine extends legitimacy. But it should be questioned.
January 4, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Exactly. A doctrine sets a stable course, often backed by practice and principles. A stable, long term approach.
There’s too much inconsistency and unknowns to presume a plan.
Calling the invasion doctrine extends legitimacy. But it should be questioned.
There’s too much inconsistency and unknowns to presume a plan.
Calling the invasion doctrine extends legitimacy. But it should be questioned.
There is no such thing as legitimate versus illegitimate breaches of international law.
A breach means there is no justification for wrongful conduct.
Incredibly dangerous erosion of international law to colour in grey space around limits intended to bind power and sustain accountability.
A breach means there is no justification for wrongful conduct.
Incredibly dangerous erosion of international law to colour in grey space around limits intended to bind power and sustain accountability.
January 4, 2026 at 8:58 AM
There is no such thing as legitimate versus illegitimate breaches of international law.
A breach means there is no justification for wrongful conduct.
Incredibly dangerous erosion of international law to colour in grey space around limits intended to bind power and sustain accountability.
A breach means there is no justification for wrongful conduct.
Incredibly dangerous erosion of international law to colour in grey space around limits intended to bind power and sustain accountability.
@jacklgoldsmith.bsky.social clarifies complex legal Qs
“In sum, it would not be terribly hard for the Justice Department to write an opinion in support of the Venezuela invasion even if the military action violates the U.N. Charter.
To repeat, that does not mean that the action is in fact lawful.”
“In sum, it would not be terribly hard for the Justice Department to write an opinion in support of the Venezuela invasion even if the military action violates the U.N. Charter.
To repeat, that does not mean that the action is in fact lawful.”
January 4, 2026 at 8:42 AM
@jacklgoldsmith.bsky.social clarifies complex legal Qs
“In sum, it would not be terribly hard for the Justice Department to write an opinion in support of the Venezuela invasion even if the military action violates the U.N. Charter.
To repeat, that does not mean that the action is in fact lawful.”
“In sum, it would not be terribly hard for the Justice Department to write an opinion in support of the Venezuela invasion even if the military action violates the U.N. Charter.
To repeat, that does not mean that the action is in fact lawful.”
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Trump: "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country. And we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so."
January 3, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Trump: "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country. And we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so."
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Chairman JCOS: “Months of planning…”
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
January 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Chairman JCOS: “Months of planning…”
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
I am wondering if this statement that the US will be running Venezuela is news to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the nation's top diplomat and acting head of the defunct USAID, which he might want to have around if this is the case.
"We're there now," Trump says of Venezuela, insisting the U.S. will run the country.
Who is "we"? Does the U.S. have military forces in the Miraflores Palace or elsewhere in Venezuela? How many? Are we saying Vice President Delcy Rodríguez isn't de facto in control?
Huge, huge open questions.
Who is "we"? Does the U.S. have military forces in the Miraflores Palace or elsewhere in Venezuela? How many? Are we saying Vice President Delcy Rodríguez isn't de facto in control?
Huge, huge open questions.
January 3, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I am wondering if this statement that the US will be running Venezuela is news to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the nation's top diplomat and acting head of the defunct USAID, which he might want to have around if this is the case.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Trump just said the United States is "going to run" Venezuela until there's a transition of power — raising immediate questions as to whether he will order U.S. military deployments.
January 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Trump just said the United States is "going to run" Venezuela until there's a transition of power — raising immediate questions as to whether he will order U.S. military deployments.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Veteran New York Times national security reporter David Sanger says what Trump is describing in Venezuela is an "American occupation."
January 3, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Veteran New York Times national security reporter David Sanger says what Trump is describing in Venezuela is an "American occupation."
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
"Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally ... by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the [UN] Charter"
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
January 3, 2026 at 12:41 PM
"Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally ... by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the [UN] Charter"
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
If this is true, the closest comparison for the Venezuela operation isn't Iraq but Panama. In both cases, the invasion was portrayed as a police action to capture a head of state to stand trial in the US for drug trafficking...
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was arrested to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States and no further military action is expected, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Senator Mike Lee.
January 3, 2026 at 11:39 AM
If this is true, the closest comparison for the Venezuela operation isn't Iraq but Panama. In both cases, the invasion was portrayed as a police action to capture a head of state to stand trial in the US for drug trafficking...
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
I fear we are going to have to say this a lot again:
Int law prohibits bombing countries for the sake of democracy. FOR VERY GOOD REASON. It tends not to work.
Attacking a country because its leader lacks legitimacy - whether as pretext or sincerely held rationale - is still just an aggression.
Int law prohibits bombing countries for the sake of democracy. FOR VERY GOOD REASON. It tends not to work.
Attacking a country because its leader lacks legitimacy - whether as pretext or sincerely held rationale - is still just an aggression.
Remember that there is a legitimately elected president of Venezuela: Edmundo Gonzalez. He won the election in 2024.
January 3, 2026 at 11:55 AM
I fear we are going to have to say this a lot again:
Int law prohibits bombing countries for the sake of democracy. FOR VERY GOOD REASON. It tends not to work.
Attacking a country because its leader lacks legitimacy - whether as pretext or sincerely held rationale - is still just an aggression.
Int law prohibits bombing countries for the sake of democracy. FOR VERY GOOD REASON. It tends not to work.
Attacking a country because its leader lacks legitimacy - whether as pretext or sincerely held rationale - is still just an aggression.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Sen Mike Lee with the first account I’ve seen of the Admin’s legal theory for the strikes. On the domestic law side — something like: Art II law enforcement power to capture Maduro (by invading his own country) combined with Art II power to protect those personnel executing the warrant.
January 3, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Sen Mike Lee with the first account I’ve seen of the Admin’s legal theory for the strikes. On the domestic law side — something like: Art II law enforcement power to capture Maduro (by invading his own country) combined with Art II power to protect those personnel executing the warrant.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Questions about the Trump Administration's Trade Deals and Compatibility with WTO Obligations
Questions about the Trump Administration's Trade Deals and Compatibility with WTO Obligations
An issue that has been raised in relation to the Trump administration's various trade deals is whether they are compatible with WTO obligations. GATT Article XXIV, along with the Uruguay Round Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XXIV, sets out specific conditions that bilateral/regional deals on trade
dlvr.it
January 2, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Questions about the Trump Administration's Trade Deals and Compatibility with WTO Obligations
-1 and Londoners are done with cold.
a man standing next to a woman with the words i grew up in canada
ALT: a man standing next to a woman with the words i grew up in canada
media.tenor.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:14 PM
-1 and Londoners are done with cold.
What can we make of this move? Doubtful POTUS was cautioned about the bogus security justification for supporting specific furniture businesses. There's no limit to the use of section 232 authority, so no worries about that either.
Impact USMCA negotiations? Possible.
Firms complained? Possible.
Impact USMCA negotiations? Possible.
Firms complained? Possible.
President Donald Trump has delayed new tariff increases on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities for a year, pushing their implementation to 2027, according to a White House statement. https://cnn.it/4pnxcQT
January 1, 2026 at 3:19 PM
What can we make of this move? Doubtful POTUS was cautioned about the bogus security justification for supporting specific furniture businesses. There's no limit to the use of section 232 authority, so no worries about that either.
Impact USMCA negotiations? Possible.
Firms complained? Possible.
Impact USMCA negotiations? Possible.
Firms complained? Possible.
Good morning all, interesting report from Roberts’ letter to the judiciary, reading between the lines I’d say further confirmation that IEEPA tariffs are unlikely to stick, not that it seems to matter. At least 1/4 of the threats taken by the POTUS by social media are never followed through.
Chief Justice John Roberts says the Constitution remains "firm and unshaken" with major Supreme Court rulings ahead.
Chief Justice says Constitution remains 'firm and unshaken' with major Supreme Court rulings ahead
Chief Justice John Roberts says that the Constitution remains a sturdy pillar for the country, a message that comes after a tumultuous year in the nation’s judicial system with pivotal Supreme Court decisions on the horizon.
bit.ly
January 1, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Good morning all, interesting report from Roberts’ letter to the judiciary, reading between the lines I’d say further confirmation that IEEPA tariffs are unlikely to stick, not that it seems to matter. At least 1/4 of the threats taken by the POTUS by social media are never followed through.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Mexico to hike tariffs on China starting Thursday reut.rs/4bdsXnl
Mexico to hike tariffs on China starting Thursday
Mexico's sweeping new tariffs on imports from mostly Asian countries are set to take effect on Thursday, in a move that will largely align Mexico with the U.S. as the neighboring countries place significant barriers on Chinese imports.
reut.rs
December 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Mexico to hike tariffs on China starting Thursday reut.rs/4bdsXnl
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
If you were thinking of pre-ordering our book How To Win A Trade War, then today is a VERY good day to do it (in the US), because
Barnes & Noble Premium & Rewards Members get 25% off pre-orders
Dec 30-Jan 1 only
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-win...
Barnes & Noble Premium & Rewards Members get 25% off pre-orders
Dec 30-Jan 1 only
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-win...
December 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM
If you were thinking of pre-ordering our book How To Win A Trade War, then today is a VERY good day to do it (in the US), because
Barnes & Noble Premium & Rewards Members get 25% off pre-orders
Dec 30-Jan 1 only
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-win...
Barnes & Noble Premium & Rewards Members get 25% off pre-orders
Dec 30-Jan 1 only
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-win...
The watchmakers could simply assert that telling time is a matter of national security, given that inputs such as steel, aluminium, titanium, silver, gold, carbon, nylon, and rubber are all so-called strategic materials.
Can see the fallacy of identifying something as strategic, up and downstream.
Can see the fallacy of identifying something as strategic, up and downstream.
The Swatch Group is credited with saving the Swiss watch industry in the 1980s. But right now the company is under pressure, hit by a spending slowdown in China and steep tariffs in the US. Can the watchmaker turn its fortunes around? (from the archive)
Is Time Running Out on Swatch?
The Swatch Group is credited with saving the Swiss watch industry in the 1980s. But right now the company is under pressure, hit by a spending slowdown in China and steep tariffs in the US. Can the watchmaker turn its fortunes around?
(Source: Bloomberg)
bloom.bg
December 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The watchmakers could simply assert that telling time is a matter of national security, given that inputs such as steel, aluminium, titanium, silver, gold, carbon, nylon, and rubber are all so-called strategic materials.
Can see the fallacy of identifying something as strategic, up and downstream.
Can see the fallacy of identifying something as strategic, up and downstream.
Reposted by Mona Paulsen
Among our most-read articles of 2025 #BestOf2025
Perspectives: Sleepwalking is not a trade policy
#EUTrade #TrumpTrade
By our columnist @davidheniguk.bsky.social
Perspectives: Sleepwalking is not a trade policy
#EUTrade #TrumpTrade
By our columnist @davidheniguk.bsky.social
Perspectives: Sleepwalking is not a trade policy - Borderlex - European trade policy
The EU’s decision-making structures in trade policy are inadequate for the EU to tackle the existential challenge posed to it. Member states need to talk more outside the usual channels in Brussels to steer a European Commission hobbled by competing demands.
f.mtr.cool
December 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Among our most-read articles of 2025 #BestOf2025
Perspectives: Sleepwalking is not a trade policy
#EUTrade #TrumpTrade
By our columnist @davidheniguk.bsky.social
Perspectives: Sleepwalking is not a trade policy
#EUTrade #TrumpTrade
By our columnist @davidheniguk.bsky.social