"Flanked by the coca-producing countries of the Andes and the world's leading consumer of illegal drugs—the United States—Central America is a strategic choke point for illicit trade," writes Michael Shifter, president of Inter-American Dialogue, in a Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Special Report, Countering Criminal Violence in Central America.

Jerome A. Cohen discusses Bo Xilai, criminal justice, and China's leadership.

Jerome A. Cohen and Jared Genser argue that the case of detained Chinese rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng demonstrates how far the Chinese government will go to suppress legitimate criticism by its citizens.

Jerome A. Cohen says proposals in the revision of the criminal procedure law would entrench the practice of enforced disappearances in China.

In a meeting conducted via video conference, Aung San Suu Kyi discusses recent changes in Myanmar, her decision to rejoin the political system, and Myanmar-U.S. relations.

In a meeting conducted via videoconference, Aung San Suu Kyi discusses recent changes in Myanmar, her decision to rejoin the political system, and Myanmar-U.S. relations.

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.

Jerome A. Cohen and Yu Han urge the adoption of wider oversight powers for Chinese prosecutors in a revision to the Criminal Procedure Law, allowing the "watchdogs of legality" to rein in investigators' misconduct.

Jerome A. Cohen says the cause of Chen Guangchen, imprisoned because of his efforts to defend women against forced sterilization by the Chinese government, could become a monumental struggle for freedom and justice in China.

Jerome A. Cohen states, "The Chinese government's current suppression of rising internet protests against its barbaric abuse of the blind 'barefoot lawyer' Chen Guangcheng raises fundamental questions about the impact of legal reforms on real life in China."

President Viktor Yanukovych has led Ukraine, no stranger to crisis, into yet another round of turmoil.

Arch Puddington discusses the growing list of governments that are using the criminal justice system to punish former leaders, including Ukraine which recently sentenced former prime minister Yuliya Tymoshenko.

The Magna Carta is an English charter dating to 1215. The National Archives calls the Magna Carta a “charter of ancient liberties guaranteed by a king to his subjects” and gives this history of the document:

“King John of England agreed, in 1215, to the demands of his barons and authorized that handwritten copies of Magna Carta be prepared on parchment, affixed with his seal, and publicly read throughout the realm. Thus he bound not only himself but his "heirs, for ever" to grant "to all freemen of our kingdom" the rights and liberties the great charter described. With Magna Carta, King John placed himself and England's future sovereigns and magistrates within the rule of law.”

Jerome A. Cohen and Yu Han discuss the recent release of the draft comprehensive revision of China's Criminal Procedure Law (CPL).

Jerome A. Cohen and Mizuki Koshimoto ask, "Has Japan found the best way for ordinary citizens to take part in criminal cases?"

Jerome A. Cohen says the Chinese government's assurances for due process in its prosecution of Lai Changxing, the mastermind behind a smuggling and bribery scandal, are far from being 'strict, clear, and unequivocal.'

Jerome A. Cohen says the consultative jury system in South Korea can serve as a model for both sides of the Taiwan strait.

Jerome A. Cohen states, "It's open season on lawyers in China today."

Jerome A. Cohen and Yu-jie Chen say progress has been made so far under an agreement between Beijing and Taipei on law enforcement and judicial
cooperation, but several key issues demand attention.

Max Boot testifies before the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia on the future of the U.S. relationship with Iraq.