Despite the lessons of COVID-19, the treatment of cruise ships during public health emergencies remains governed by fragmented and incomplete rules under international law. Recent treaty reform efforts failed to resolve the structural gaps exposed both in 2020 and now again in 2026. In April and May 2026, the expedition cruise vessel MV Hondius became…

This week, the leaders of the Pacific Island States will have their annual meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum to discuss key issues impacting the region. In recent years, leaders have adopted significant regional declarations and frameworks concerning the impacts of climate change and disasters, including the 2023 Declaration on the Continuity of Statehood and the…

As thousands of foreign nationals stranded in Iran and Israel wait for repatriation flights, governments are scrambling to find safe ways to evacuate them. With airspace closed, land border crossings limited, and evacuation routes posing dangers, many people remain stuck. In addition to these obvious logistical challenges,…