In October 2025, the Trump Administration announced a series of common policy frameworks with Australia and Japan to secure critical minerals and rare earth resources central to global energy and defense industries. Volume XLIX staff editor Matthew L. Giannotti examines how these bilateral agreements, coupled with legal concerns pursuant to Executive Order 14285, challenge the international authority of UNCLOS and ISA’s authority. This post explores the tension between U.S. strategic ambitions to counter China’s mineral dominance and a risk of eroding established norms of international maritime law.

Safe Third Country Agreements, a pillar of International Refugee Law, are facing significant changes. In May 2025, the European Commission proposed to eliminate the connection requirement for asylum-seeking purposes, which ensured that asylum seekers had strong ties with a country before being returned there to continue their asylum application. Volume XLIX staff editor Laura Muñiz Lupiáñez argues that this legislative shift could greatly impact migration patterns, and how States balance efficiency and their human rights obligations. This post examines the potential global consequences of this change in European legislation.

The Supreme Court's overruling of Chevron has left courts split on how to treat BIA interpretations of the INA when considering whether noncitizens facing removal have committed aggravated felonies and crimes involving moral turpitude. This post explores the effects different methodology might have on noncitizens and advocates for a consistent approach going forward.