John B. Bellinger III
Adjunct Senior Fellow for International and National Security Law
Expertise
International law and international criminal justice; international humanitarian law and human rights law; international tribunals, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court; treaty law and treaties, including the U.N. Law of the Sea Convention; foreign sovereign immunity and official immunities; international and domestic law applicable to use of force and counterterrorism operations, including detention and prosecution policies; intelligence law and covert action; espionage statutes; U.S. national security organization and process; U.S. national security statutes; foreign investment in the United States, Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Programs
National Security and Defense Program
Featured Publications
Recognizing the limitations of current international systems based in The Hague, David A. Kaye provides a strategy for promoting national-level justice and accountability mechanisms to prosecute perpetrators of mass atrocity crimes.
See more in Courts and Tribunals
All Publications
The Obama administration's strongest case for intervening in Syria rests on the global security risks posed by the regime's suspected use of chemical weapons, says CFR's John B. Bellinger.
See more in Syria; International Law
Despite recent calls for exceptions to diplomatic immunity, John B. Bellinger argues in the New York Times Room for Debate (not sure if that last part should be italicized) for the U.S. commitment to and importance of the Vienne Convention on Diplomatic Relations to protect U.S. diplomats serving abroad.
See more in Diplomacy and Statecraft
President Obama's counterterrorism speech made strides toward greater transparency but missed opportunities to articulate a vision for moving beyond a perpetual war footing, says CFR's John Bellinger.
See more in United States; Counterterrorism
Both the Bush and Obama administrations have concluded that the use of drones to kill al-Qaeda leaders is permissible under both U.S. domestic law and international law.
Read full answer
See more in United States; Drones; International Law
What is the Obama administration's legal justification for targeted killings? CFR national security expert John Bellinger explores this question as well as others with significant implications for U.S. counterterrorism.
See more in United States; Drones
John B. Bellinger III testifies before the House Committee on the Judiciary on the legal and policy issues that stem from the use of lethal force by the U.S. government against American citizens abroad.
See more in United States; Drones; Terrorism
John B. Bellinger III argues that international law presents many obstacles to a quick U.S. intervention in Syria.
See more in International Organizations and Alliances; United States; Syria
John B. Bellinger III says, "Over the last 230 years, the Senate has approved more than 1,500 treaties. In 2013, Mr. Obama must demonstrate leadership by putting greater effort in securing Senate approval of essential treaties that advance American interests, including the Law of the Sea Convention."
See more in United States; Treaties and Agreements; Presidents and Chiefs of State
Jeffrey H. Smith and John B. Bellinger III say that because a nuclear-armed Iran is a real threat to the United States, the president does have reason to argue for his constitutional authority to use force against Iran, but legislative approval would give him stronger legal and political ground to do so.
See more in United States; Iran; Presidents and Chiefs of State; International Law
John B. Bellinger III argues that Congress should reconsider the International Criminal Court.
See more in United States; Congresses, Parliaments, National Legislatures; Courts and Tribunals
In his testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, John Bellinger argues that the Law of the Sea Convention is beneficial to the United States military, especially during a time of armed conflict, because it provides clear treaty-based navigational rights for our Navy, Coast Guard, and aircraft.
See more in Treaties and Agreements; United States
John B. Bellinger III discusses the upcoming Supreme Court hearing of arguments in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, which will decide whether corporations may be sued in U.S. courts for violations of international law under the Alien Tort Statute.
See more in United States; Corporate Regulation; Rule of Law
Detainee policy that would mandate military custody for al-Qaeda suspects captured in the United States could have a detrimental impact on U.S. counterterrorism operations, say CFR legal experts Matthew C. Waxman and John B. Bellinger III.
See more in Counterterrorism; United States; Terrorism and the Law
John B. Bellinger III argues that Libyans should be allowed to choose whether they want to try members of the Qaddafi regime in their own courts.
See more in Libya; Courts and Tribunals
John B. Bellinger III examines the legality of drone strikes used by the United States against al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders.
See more in United States; Counterterrorism; International Law; Defense Technology; Yemen
Within days of the 9/11 attacks, Congress authorized U.S. military and intelligence agencies to kill and detain terrorists. It is time to revise that authority on matters like detentions and drone attacks, says CFR's John B. Bellinger III.
See more in 9/11 Impact; Counterterrorism
John B. Bellinger III testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the practical benefits that enactment of the Consular Notification Compliance Act of 2011 will have for Americans who are detained and imprisoned by other countries.
See more in International Law; United States
The Obama administration's recognition of the Libya's National Transitional Council as the country's legitimate government means freeing up funds for the group but also poses legal questions the State Department has to resolve.
See more in Libya; Political Movements and Protests
Recognizing the limitations of current international systems based in The Hague, David A. Kaye provides a strategy for promoting national-level justice and accountability mechanisms to prosecute perpetrators of mass atrocity crimes.
See more in Courts and Tribunals
John B. Bellinger III says President Obama should seize the opportunity presented by Republican support for increased domestic oil and gas production to urge the Senate to approve the Law of the Sea Convention.
See more in Arctic; Energy Policy; Oil
Contact/Media Information
Location
Washington, District of Columbia
Media Bio
CFR Adjunct Senior Fellow for International and National Security Law
Email
John.Bellinger@aporter.com
Phone
+1.202.942.6599
Downloads
Research Associate