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I think the International Criminal Court could be a threat…

“I think the International Criminal Court could be a threat to American security interests, because the prosecutor of the court has enormous discretion in going after war crimes. And the way the Statute of Rome is written, responsibility for war crimes can be taken all the way up the chain of…” quote by John Bolton
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“I think the International Criminal Court could be a threat to American security interests, because the prosecutor of the court has enormous discretion in going after war crimes. And the way the Statute of Rome is written, responsibility for war crimes can be taken all the way up the chain of command. This is the sort of investigation that some people who live in Fairyland might like to undertake, but which bears no relationship at all to conditions in the real world.”

John Bolton

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The ICC’s broad prosecutorial discretion could threaten U.S. security by implicating high‑level officials.

In simple terms: ICC power may endanger U.S. security.

Key Takeaway

Guard national interests against expansive legal reach.

Themes

security sovereignty law international relations

Mood

cautious political

Type

legal strategic

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • military planning
  • diplomacy

Key Concepts

jurisdiction command responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • Should international law limit prosecutorial discretion?
  • How can nations protect sovereignty while supporting justice?
A Different Perspective

Balancing accountability with national security is complex.

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