Rubio challenges ICC authority and defends US actions abroad

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticised the International Criminal Court on Friday, defending an assertive American foreign policy and rejecting arguments that international law should limit Washington's actions. His address to the Federalist Society in Washington was his first prepared speech since Republicans suffered heavy losses in the 3 November midterm elections.

Rubio said the purpose of the US-Israeli war against Iran was to ensure Tehran never developed a nuclear weapon. He argued that preventing such an outcome was especially urgent because Iran's ruling Shia clerics held what he described as an expansionist outlook.

He drew a distinction between Iran's leadership and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom Trump has met on three occasions. While acknowledging terrible events in North Korea, Rubio argued that Kim was not pursuing expansion and was not seeking to invade Japan or China.

The secretary of state also rejected criticism that the Trump administration had violated international law through actions including the seizure of Venezuela's then-president, Nicolas Maduro. He similarly dismissed objections to US strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific that Washington says were transporting drugs.

Turning to the ICC, Rubio repeated his claim that the court would seek to prosecute American officials or military personnel. That assertion was also his justification for sanctions against the institution announced last month. He argued that Americans had never consented to the court's jurisdiction and accused it and its supporters within international institutions of claiming authority over the international order.

The Netherlands-based ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Trump administration has repeatedly opposed the court and has previously sanctioned its judges and prosecutors. Most of the court's member states have strongly supported it. Its membership includes every European Union country and every NATO member except the United States and Turkey.

Washington has condemned ICC arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as its investigation into the conduct of US soldiers in Afghanistan. The court says the Afghanistan investigation has been deprioritised. US sanctions intended to hamper the ICC's operations are due to take effect in April unless its supporters reach an agreement with Washington to prevent them.

Rubio also suggested that an attempt by the court to enforce rulings against Americans could bring a forceful US response. Invoking the Roman general Pompey, he said Washington's answer would be: "Stop quoting laws to men with swords."