The U.S. has finally determined that the RSF is committing genocide in Sudan and imposed economic sanctions on its supporters. Many find that these actions have come far too late considering the humanitarian devastation caused by Sudan's civil war, and there is no peace on the horizon. With more international visibility to the crisis in Sudan, Volume XLVIII staff editor Emily Gwydir argues for a stronger international law regime of state responsibility in response to the large web of foreign states influence prolonging and funding the conflict. This post explores how a broader test for state attribution of internationally wrongful acts might be part of the strategy to help bring about an end to the conflict.

This divergence is further complicated by the rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. While the European Union has implemented stringent ESG reporting requirements under its Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the U.S. currently lacks a comprehensive federal framework regulating ESG, leaving companies to navigate a patchwork of state-level regulations. Volume XLVIII staff editor Shanaia Carvalho agrees that the absence of a cohesive federal or state ESG framework in the U.S. creates significant compliance challenges for corporations operating globally.

Surrogacy laws worldwide reflect deep ethical and legal divides, with the U.S. standing out as one of the few countries permitting commercial surrogacy under state-specific rules. Volume XLVIII staff editor Monika Lucic explores the implications of this fragmented landscape and considers how the U.S., by leveraging its position, could inspire the development of global standards that ensure ethical and equitable surrogacy practices.