Born from the ashes of two world wars, the concept of international criminal justice took nearly half a century to become anchored in institutions and legal concepts that are independent of specific conflicts. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, that for Rwanda, and the creation of the International Criminal Court, among others, bear witness to the real progress made during the 1990s. This issue of Politique étrangère offers a series of articles that shed light on these achievements and their limits.

The modern principle of international criminal justice goes back to Nuremberg and its highly specific historical context. The 1990s marks a decade of renaissance, for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda in particular. 

Established to hold trials for crimes committed during the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has vacillated between its punitive purpose and writing the history of this period.

The establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has made it possible for the victim to be fully recognized in international trials, with the assertion of the right to compensation for acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

From 2014 to 2015, the price of oil fell. 

The presidential primaries have begun, and have quickly become a target for much criticism.

European solidarity seems to be breaking down just as Europe is becoming a lesser factor in American strategy and alongside the proliferation of divergent poles affirming the differences of interests on the international scene. 

China has become one of the main personnel contributors for UN peace keeping operations, and the principal contributor among the permanent members of the Security Council.