Reinforcing the worldwide perception of the US as “a bully and a hegemon” that will not tolerate attempts by the global community to hold it accountable for its deadly actions overseas, President Donald Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton is set to deliver a speech on Monday that will reportedly threaten International Criminal Court (ICC) officials with sanctions if they dare to move ahead with probes into US or Israeli war crimes.
“The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court,” Bolton will say at an event hosted by the right-wing Federalist Society, according to a speech draft viewed by Reuters. “If the court comes after us, Israel, or other allies, we will not sit quietly.”
To deter ICC officials from investigating American actions in the 17-year-long Afghanistan war, Bolton will reportedly outline a plan to hit all who cooperate with the probe with economic sanctions and a ban on travel to the US.
“Afghans have been waiting decades for justice for war crimes, including some allegedly committed by US forces,” Heather Barr, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, wrote in response to the White House’s plans. “The ICC is the only hope they have for justice at the moment. Trump is determined to take that away. Bon courage.”
Citing anonymous Trump administration officials, the Washington Post reported that Bolton is also expected to announce that the US is “shutting down a Palestinian diplomatic office in Washington because Palestinians have sought to use the international court to prosecute US ally Israel.”
Jamil Dakwar, director of ACLU’s human rights program, wrote on Twitter that the move would be yet “another low point” for an administration that has been explicit in its disdain for international diplomacy and its unwavering support for…