International Bar Association: Global Insight podcast

The UN’s International Impartial and Independent Mechanism Investigating Serious Crimes in Syria (or ‘triple I M’) was set up by the UN in 2016 to help investigate and assist with prosecutions of violations of international law taking place in Syria since 2011. 

In the post-Assad era, prosecutions have also begun within Syria. A historic verdict delivered recently by a Damascus court handed down death sentences against eight senior officials, seven of them in absentia, and various shortcomings in fair trial standards have been highlighted by human rights groups. Under UN rules, the verdict has effectively frozen the IIIM’s ability to share criminal evidence files with domestic Syrian prosecutors. 

Despite this development, IIIM’s core objectives remain unchanged. 

Earlier in 2026, the IBA’s Director of Content James Lewis spoke to the IIIM’s Director, Robert Petit, about its mission, achievements and challenges. 

Pic: Angiolo / AdobeStock

During his second administration, US President Donald Trump has effectively ended America's role in international climate action. He has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and set in motion the departure of the US from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, while heavily promoting fossil fuel initiatives in the name of 'unleashing American energy.'

In this Global Insight podcast, our speakers consider the implications of America's retreat, as well as efforts by other countries to collaborate on climate issues, which stand in contrast to the US approach.

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China’s latest five-year plan reaffirmed support for the country’s clean energy transition, following its pledge to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse-gas emissions in absolute terms, by seven to ten per cent from peak levels by 2035. 

While China remains the world’s largest annual greenhouse-gas emitter, its stated policy direction contrasts sharply with that of the US – the world’s second-largest annual emitter – where President Donald Trump has sought to expand oil and gas production and rolled back green initiatives as part of an effort to ‘unleash’ American energy.

In this podcast, our speakers consider the challenges and opportunities facing China, as well as the implications for other parts of the world, particularly India and Africa.

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Image: Molten salt tower solar thermal power station in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, China 泰豪 顾/Adobe Stock

This podcast contains a clip from a Southern Finance Omnimedia Corporation interview with Selwin Hart, Special Adviser and Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Action at United Nations, available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=idTZYWXJmHA

Ten years ago, the UK voted to leave the EU, leading to a sustained period of upheaval and uncertainty. A decade on, Brexit continues to affect everything from defence and security to the economy, tech, AI and the rule of law.

This Global Insight podcast assesses the UK's relationship with the EU, which the UK government has recently sought to ‘reset’.

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The independence of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) from political interference is central to the rule of law in America.

Critics argue that, during President Trump’s second term, this principle has come under pressure on several fronts, including allegations that the President has pressed the department to pursue cases against his opponents for personal or political reasons. 

Concerns have also been raised about conflicts of interest and the leadership of the DOJ: former Attorney General Pam Bondi was a close ally of President Trump who served on his first impeachment defence team, while current Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche previously represented Trump in several criminal cases. Bondi was removed from the role in April, reportedly amid controversy over her handling of the Epstein files and frustration within the administration over the pace of politically sensitive prosecutions. 

While there are concerns, court rulings and institutional pushback suggest that the wider US justice system continues to provide some counterbalance.

This IBA Global Insight podcast features:

The US government’s decision to issue waivers for sanctions on Russian oil in March has proven highly controversial and at odds with the position of the EU and the UK for example, who have insisted that despite the global economic situation it is crucial to maintain pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine via sanctions. This IBA Global Insight podcast explores the issues.

Chile Eboe Osuji has for 30 years stood at the forefront of international law and justice. He has served as a judge of the International Criminal Court as well as prosecution counsel at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and on the Special Court for Sierra Leone, among other notable positions, during that time. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986, he now sits as a judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice. He is a published author, with his latest book The End of Immunity exploring the history and concept of immunity from foreign prosecution for heads of state. 

In this IBA Global Insight podcast he discusses his experiences, counters criticisms of the mechanics of the international legal system and explains the importance of peace as an 'actionable right'.

From sustained attacks on the judiciary to a crisis in legal aid and the administration of justice, the rule of law is under significant pressure in the UK. It has therefore never been more important to protect and strengthen it, says a recent report entitled ‘Rule of law: holding the line between anarchy and tyranny’, from the House of Lords Constitution Committee. This Global Insight podcast hears from three members of the Committee about why the rule of law matters. 

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Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over an edit of a speech he made on 6 Jan 2021 has raised legal and ethical questions, and has brought a focus on the potentially chilling effects on freedom of speech.

Considering the issues in this Global Insight podcast are: