America's Square
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
The 2023 National Security Symposium brings together distinguished practitioners and scholars to examine the legal, practical, and policy implications of the war between Russia and Ukraine. It focuses both on what has happened so far, and what could happen in the aftermath, whenever and however it ends.
When:
Thursday, June 29, 2023
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
This event will be livestreamed on The Federalist Society YouTube page.
Only register if you plan to attend in person.
These counts are for food and beverage purposes only.
Sponsors:
International and National Law Practice Group,
National Security Institute at George Mason University
Where:
Roof Terrace
America's Square
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
*Access to the Roof Terrace is provided through the America's Square atrium lobby.
Parking/Metro Information:
Parking garage entrance: 311 First St NW ($26 for the day)
Closest metro stops: Judiciary Square and Union Station (Both Red Line)
Schedule:
Registration:
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:00 am - 10:15 am
Panel I: The Economic War: What Has Been Done, What Can Be Done, and What Should Be Done?
10:15 am - 11:45 am
Lunch & Keynote Address
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Panel II: Adjudicating Atrocities from the Russia-Ukraine War: Can It Be Done, In What Tribunals, and Should There Be Limits?
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Cost:
- Conference - Free
- Conference with CLE Credit - $50
Please contact Jack Capizzi at [email protected] or call 202-627-1371 with any questions.
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10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Panel I: The Economic War: What Has Been Done, What Can Be Done, and What Should Be Done?
America's Square
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
Event Video
Description
The Russia-Ukraine War has been fought not just with bullets, bombs, and bytes, but also with economic tools. When it ends, observers have pointed out that there will be a need for a massive rebuilding of Ukraine. Ukraine will seek reparations, and Russia will refuse.
This panel will examine why the sanctions against Russia have proven ineffective, and whether they can be strengthened. It will also examine the seizure of assets of individual oligarchs, the potential seizure of the frozen Russian Central Bank assets, and whether either can be applied toward reconstruction, reparations, or relief to aggrieved individuals. Finally, it will consider the practical and policy constraints on these responses, including their effect on the broader international financial order.
Featuring:
- Scott R. Anderson, Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution; General Counsel and Senior Editor, Lawfare; Senior Fellow, National Security Law Program, Columbia Law School
- Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
- Moderator: Eric Kadel, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Speakers
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch & Keynote Address
America's Square
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
Event Video
Description
Lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m. with remarks from Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison to follow.
Speakers
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Panel II: Adjudicating Atrocities from the Russia-Ukraine War: Can It Be Done, In What Tribunals, and Should There Be Limits?
America's Square
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
Event Video
Description
Many experts have asserted that Russia has committed acts that are war crimes and crimes against humanity. Some allege that Russia has also commited genocide. Others assert that the invasion itself may be prosecuted as the crime of aggression, which is a controversial concept.
This panel examined each of these offenses and the tribunals available to try them. These include national courts, a hybrid national/international court, and an ad hoc tribunal for the prosecution of aggression. The International Criminal Court is more problematic, because neither Russia nor Ukraine has joined, although some argue it has jurisdiction nonetheless. The Panel will also analyzed the legal, technical, and logistical issues concerning the prospective tribunals. Finally, it considered whether it is wise to use all of these tribunals, as a matter of sound policy and the overall good of the international order.
During the discussion, Prof. Michael Newton referenced a paper regarding why a simple assertion that appropriate domestic processes shield a sovereign state from ICC intermeddling is inaccurate. Please click here to access the paper.
Featuring:
- Ambassador Beth Van Schaack, Ambassador At-Large for Global Criminal Justice, US Department of State
- Prof. Michael A. Newton, Director, International Legal Studies Program, Vanderbilt University Law School
- Prof. Jeremy A. Rabkin, Professor of Law, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University
- Moderator: Matthew R. A. Heiman, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Waystar Health; Senior Fellow and Director of Planning, National Security Institute
