Jacques Vergès argues that the International Criminal Court is unconstitutional, applies statutes retrospectively and has unfair procedures. In short, it discredits justice itself Before asking whether some heads of state are deliberately violating international law, it would be useful to ask ourselves about the legality and, even more, the legitimacy of the institutions that are…

Achieving population stability – higher growth in some countries, lower in others – is a more important global challenge than longer lives or the mechanics of pension system reform, says Adair Turner The “problem” of an ageing population is now discussed not just in rich countries but across the world. But increasing life expectancy is…

The crisis in Iraq might have dented the UN’s credibility. But it remains the best forum for solving problems that have no frontiers, says Shashi Tharoor The Iraq crisis has created a large number of casualties, and some have begun to suggest that the United Nations should be added to the list. A poll taken…

The strength of the American and global economy is helping equity markets recover, says John Thain, but companies need to do more to earn investors’ trust America’s capital markets are the oxygen of our country’s free market economy. They represent more than 35% of the market capitalization of world stockmarkets. By uniting issuers and investors…

Health relies on good food, human rights, education and prosperity – and contributes to them too, explains Alfred Sommer – The United Nations, in its Millennium Development Goals, provided explicit, quantitative targets for reducing a wide variety of human miseries, including poverty, hunger, excessive mortality and insecurity. These, least of all health issues, are not…

Relations between Europe and the United States are in much better shape than they might appear, says Javier Solana – Some see the re-election of president George W Bush as heralding four years of transatlantic tension and division. The pessimists paint a picture of diverging social values and irreconcilable world views generating a steady stream…

The Bush administration has a unique opportunity to help reform the very institutions of global governance it has undermined, says Anne-Marie Slaughter. A failure to do so will only deepen the rift between America and its allies – The first administration of George W Bush was no friend to international law, at least by common…

It may be unwise to rely on Saudi Arabia to fulfil galloping oil demand, says Matthew Simmons – The world assumes that regardless of how fast demand for oil grows, it can continue to be supplied by ever-increasing amounts of oil from the Middle East, and particularly from Saudi Arabia. This assumption may be false….

The Rolling Stones, the Olympics and the Salvation Army are among the world’s most enduring institutions, says Ralph Shrader. Their secret? Being true to their core values – When a group of young men formed a band in 1962 in London, few would have predicted that they would still be together today, as a rock-and-roll…