Thursday, we welcomed @ABarnardNYT, Claus Kress & Jon Finer to @nyulaw for a discussion moderated by @rgoodlaw on the current state of play in Syria, including legal and geopolitical implications of the crisis.

We've pulled some highlights from this fascinating conversation:

Claus Kress argued Turkey’s operation was unlawful and feared that “this conflict is no longer discussed in terms of international law, but just geopolitics—and that…is a frightening development, if one believes in the value of an int’l rule-based order.”

Jon Finer discussed the reasoning behind the original US decision to support the Syrian Kurds in the fight against ISIS and the resulting tensions with Turkey. He argued that the hasty US withdrawal undermined partners and negotiators and has not been executed strategically.

Anne Barnard said US allies violating the laws of war is not new, but the US has retreated as a beacon for human rights & the rules-based order; she noted “a strategic value” in ideals that “people around the world aspire to…and promote, and that American words really matter.”

Panelists engaged in robust discussion—and sometimes disagreement—on issues including states’ legal responsibilities to respond to Turkey’s recent actions, and US strategy toward Syria and the Kurds across Administrations.

The full discussion is now available to view online: