Introduction

AuthorStacy N. Ferraro
Pages427-430

Page 427

The articles featured in this edition cover a wide range of topics from European defense to the Russian Constitution. Substantively, the articles are very diverse. Each article demonstrates the complexities of the respective topic, and reinforces the importance of having an academic forum to pursue a greater understanding of those complexities. This edition represents the first submission-based issue for Transnational Law and Contemporary Problems, a journal of the University of Iowa College of Law. The articles were selected because each offered a unique perspective on a topic within contemporary international law. In this edition, practitioners and scholars address legal issues of importance not only within the United States but within the international community.

Professors Nigel Jamieson and Alexander Trapeznik provide a fascinating article on the linguistic complexities of the Russian Constitution highlighting divergences between English translations and the original Russian text. The article demonstrates the need for accurate linguistic translation to avoid international misunderstandings that may increase the potential of legal conflict.

Professor Gregory McNeal and Brian Field address the topic of extraterritorial abductions and whether a terror suspect who has been forcibly abducted overseas may be prosecuted within the United States. The authors examine the jurisdiction of U.S. courts, including a discussion of balancing the territorial sovereignty of foreign nations against U.S. efforts to prevent future terrorist attacks.

Haider Ala Hamoudi provides an in-depth discussion on the development of legislation to prevent money laundering in Iraq after the U.S. military invasion in 2003. He offers unique insight, having served as a legal advisor to the Finance Committee of the Governing Council of Iraq. Mr. Hamoudi's article is timely as the Iraqi government, the United States and others within the international community seek to develop stability, security, and the rule of law within Iraq.

The Journal presents an interview with Ambassador Clovis Maksoud, former ambassador for the Arab League. The interview with the Ambassador addresses a wide range of topics from Arab nationalism to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The interview also discusses the distinction between "criticism" and "insult" and the publication of the political cartoons in Europe that distorted the prophet Muhammad.

Lastly, the European Defence Agency is...

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