What is international law?

International law is a form of law that governs relations between nations, organizations, and individuals on a global scale. It provides a framework for states to interact with one another peacefully and to resolve disputes through negotiation. International law binds all countries, large and small, to respect the decisions of international organizations, including the United Nations. International law applies to a wide array of topics including trade, human rights, communications, the environment, and natural resources. It can be divided into three main categories: public international law, private international law, and international humanitarian law. Public international law contains rules related to matters of a global public interest, such as the peaceful settlement of international disputes and the settlement of international claims. Private international law applies to situations where individuals, companies, and organizations based in different countries interact with one another. International humanitarian law applies to the protection of human rights and the humane treatment of civilians in times of war. In Washington, international law is mainly governed by federal statutes, although states can pass their own laws as well. The Supreme Court of the United States has made rulings on a variety of international law issues in the past. The State Department and the Departments of Justice and Defense are all responsible for ensuring that international law is respected in the United States.

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What is international law?

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