Developing
Questions for Romney and Obama at the third presidential debate on foreign policy, to be held on October 22
1. Will you push for Senate ratification of the American Convention on Human Rights? Why or why not?
2. Will you push for U.S. ratification of the Statute of the International Criminal Court? Why or why not?r
3. Will you reverse the Reagan administration’s withdrawal from the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice? Why or why not?
4. Will you work energetically with other countries to establish new norms or clarifications of existing norms regulating the use of force by drones within the framework of international law and the United Nations Charter? Why or why not?
5. Will you block or suspend the adoption of Most-Favored-Nation treatment for Russian goods and services, and other trade benefits, until Russia agrees to take effective action on Syria in the U.N. Security Council? Or do you believe the U.S. should do business as usual with Russia (and China) despite their blocking of Security Council actions to control the ongoing commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Syrian government?
6. Will you energetically push for China and other concerned states to commit to refer any unsettled territorial disputes in the South China Sea, or elsewhere, to the International Court of Justice for binding decision? Why or why not?
7. For background to assist in formulating the critical questions on the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi and the American response, see
The Trenchant Observer, “New details on Benghazi attack on consulate, American response,” October 13, 2012
The Trenchant Observer, “No time for cowboys: U.S. preparation for reprisals against Libyan targets,” October 3, 2012
The Trenchant Observer, ,”U.S. Ambassador to Libya murdered during assault on American consulate in Benghazi,” September 12, 2012
8. Will you lead efforts with others to supply arms and, if necessary, use air strikes or other military force to halt the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria? Why or why not?
The Trenchant Observer
