CYIL Vol. 4, 2013

MAX HILAIRE CYIL 4 ȍ2013Ȏ country’s conflict. The president has overlooked human rights violations in China and Russia, and by close allies such as Turkey and Bahrain. Under President Obama there has been a definite change in U.S. attitude toward international law. The United States is more willing to work with other nations. The president has sought authorization from the United Nations Security Council before taking military action. The president speaks strongly in favor of respect for international norms, and he has used the machinery of international institutions to advance U.S. interest. The overall style and tenor of U.S. foreign policy has changed under President Obama. 4. United States Compliance with International Law International law is part of the law of the United States and affects and impacts all aspects of decision making in the United States Government. The United States complies with its international legal obligations dailywithout the average person taking notice of it, as it has become routine for one to expect the United States, and for that matter, all nations, to comply with international law. Every day millions of travelers enter and leave the United States. Similarly, diplomats and other internationally protected persons carry out their duties in the United States uninterrupted. The United States trades billions of dollars in goods with other nations regularly in full compliance with international trade law. Foreign currencies are exchanged at United States banks regularly, and trade in stocks and other financial instruments occur on a daily basis without violation of Securities and Exchange rules. The United States observed the human rights of foreign nationals entering and residing in the United States, and all individuals present within the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States enjoy full constitutional protection. Foreign nationals can also utilize our courts to file suit against the United States Government or foreign governments for breach of international law that impacts them. In general, the United States complies with international law more often than it violates international law. On occasions when it does violate international law the United States goes to some length to justify its action under international law, or accepts responsibility for breach of international law. The United States routinely complies with extradition requests from foreign governments and also submits requests for the extradition of foreign nationals. The United States also complies with international trade law and refers trade disputes to the World Trade Organization (WTO). 107 Similarly, the United States complies with diplomatic law by respecting the diplomatic privileges and immunities of foreign diplomats in the United States. 108 Where foreign diplomats have violated American law, the United States follows diplomatic protocol by expelling the foreign diplomats instead of arresting them or prosecuting them. Even in situations when the United States does not have diplomatic relations with foreign states, such as Iran, Cuba and North Korea, the United States 107 Curtis A. Bradley, International Law in the U.S. Legal System (2013) p. 113. 108 See Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, April 18, 1961, 23 U.S.T. 3227 T.I.A.S. No. 7502.