12 March 2025 | Corvinus University of Budapest | C.202

The fifth session of the IR TALKS series unpacked how current crises are shaping the international legal order. The panelists reflected on the Trump administration; particularly how certain executive orders aim to limit the scope of international law. A key point of discussion was the contrast between the current era and the first Trump administration, with concerns raised about the potential for the US to pursue territorial conquest—an alarming deviation from international law that could, in turn, embolden Russia’s ambitions in Ukraine. The panelists emphasized, however, that crises have always existed, and the international community reacts to them, and the current crises have not significantly affected the international legal order yet. Even with the rise of modern warfare technologies, existing legal frameworks can address these challenges. The discussion concluded on an optimistic note: despite the perception that the international legal order is under strain, it remains resilient, and there is growing recognition of its potential for transformation.

The panelists were:

IR TALKS is a series of guest and roundtable talks organised by the Department of International Relations at Corvinus University to make sense of the world we live in at a time of turbulent international politics.