Chair of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure,
Comparative Law, International Criminal Law
and Public International Law
News:
Conference: “THE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW – WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE ICC” The Institute for Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Göttingen is hosting the conference "The Future of International Criminal Law" on July 10, 2026. You can register via the "Activities" tab or here. Seminar 2026: In the 2026 summer semester, Prof. Ambos is offering the following seminar: Foundational Texts of International Criminal Law (ICL) Further information on the seminar can be found under the "Teaching" menu item. New Publication:
Sample reading
Campus-Verlag (published on May 28, 2026)
You can access further reviews and press coverage via the "Research" tab under "Selected Works and Publication Series".
Related unpublished interview with the *Westfalenblatt* (June 26, 2026); regarding its non-publication, please see the following explanation and statement: Last week, the *Westfalenblatt* asked me for an interview regarding my new book, "Staatsräson nach Gaza" (Reason of State after Gaza). The interview took place online on June 26, 2026; I received the written transcript on June 29, edited it, and sent it back, but the editorial team subsequently cancelled the publication on June 30. Here is the explanation provided by the editor in charge: "Dear Professor Ambos, First of all, thank you very much for your time and your willingness to discuss Israel with our editorial team. With our readership and target audience in mind, we ultimately decided against a separate interview that focuses specifically on the concepts of 'reason of state' and the 'right to exist.' Our concern here is less with the technical legal analysis than with the conclusions drawn from it. To ensure balanced coverage of this topic—which we view as controversial—we lack the essential counter-perspective in this instance. A structured debate would likely be a more suitable format for our publications. Hence our decision. I fully understand that this may be frustrating for you, and I apologize for the circumstances. I wish you every success with your lecture in Münster. Kind regards, Ralf Repöhler" The decision not to publish represents a worrying restriction on freedom of expression. I have therefore decided to publish the interview here.
Recent Publications:
Contributions on International Law"Germany Applies Double Standards Regarding International Law", rbb Inforadio, June 4, 2026
"Guantanamo: Why the Detention Camp Still Exists", Weltspiegel Podcast, April 10, 2026
"A Brief History of International Criminal Law – Deterring Atrocities", Bayern 2 Radiowissen, April 16, 2026
"We Can Save International Law", guest commentary in *Die Zeit*, Jan. 27, 2026
"Turning Point Venezuela: Trump and the Law of the Strongest", podcast by Hessischer Rundfunk, Jan. 13, 2026
"Does the Law of the Strongest Apply Now?", Deutschlandfunk, Jan. 7, 2026
"Attack on Venezuela: Europe Will Be Ground Down in Such a World Order", *Tagesschau*, Jan. 5, 2026
"It Is Not Enough to..."...merely invoking international law", interview with *Die Zeit* regarding US actions in Venezuela, Jan. 4, 2026, PDF of the article
"Sanctioning the Law: On the US Government's Sanctions Policy Against the International Criminal Court", article, Verfassungsblog, Dec. 17, 2025
"Blackmailing International Law Experts", radio commentary, Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Dec. 17, 2025
"Illegal Executions: Do US Attacks in the Caribbean Violate International Law?", FAZ Einspruch, Nov. 17, 2025
"Trump and Putin Have No Regard for International Law", Deutschlandfunk, Aug. 17, 2025
"Is International Law Out of Touch with Reality?", interview, Die Zeit, 29 June 2025
"Retributive and Reparative Justice: Where Does International Criminal Law Stand Today?", article by Prof. Ambos and Research Associate Susann Aboueldahab, Ethik und Militär, 2025
"Arguably the Most Misogynistic Government in the World", interview, 13 July 2025, Spiegel Online
"Does International Law Permit a Preemptive War?", discussion, 12 July 2025, Deutschlandfunk
"Call out violations of international law, drive reform forward", E+Z, 1 April 2026
"Middle East in Flames – Is International Law at an End?", ARD Monitor. Studio M, 16 March 2026
"Germany is not a superpower – we need international law!", German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), 13 March 2026
"We must save international law", interview, Frankfurter Rundschau, 4 March 2026
"International law is not a matter of professors simply picking and choosing", see also PDF of the article, interview, taz, 4 March 2026
"War in Gaza: How do you prove genocide?", contribution by Prof. Ambos in a video on the concept of genocide, Zeit Online, August 4, 2025
"Respect for international law in Gaza: The perspective of Israeli international law experts"
The full English version: Respect for International Law in Gaza, Verfassungsblog, 23 July 2025"Genocide in Gaza? An Assessment under International (Criminal) Law", article by Prof. Ambos and Prof. Stefanie Bock, DRiZ, issue 07/08 of 2025
"The Issue Must Not Be Narrowed Down to Israel", interview, 23 June 2025, taz
"Israel's Attack on Iran Not Covered by International Law", interview, 18 June 2025, Deutschlandfunk
"Arms Supplies to Israel: A Legal Dilemma", podcast, 18 June 2025, Deutschlandfunk Kultur – Politisches Feuilleton Associated text as PDF
"This attack was clearly a violation of international law," interview on the current situation in the Iran-Israel conflict, June 14, 2025, DER SPIEGEL International
"German officials, too, could have made themselves liable to prosecution", interview, Verfassungsblog, May 30, 2025