Lithograph by Sabatier produced in 1843 based on a drawing by Auguste Mayer entitled Lithograph by Sabatier produced in 1843 based on a drawing by Auguste Mayer entitled “Naufrage d’une Embarcation du Vaisseau l’Algésiras” (Shipwreck of a Boat from the Ship Algésiras).

Our partners at Asymmetrical Haircuts, Janet Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg, are wrapping up the events and highlights of international justice in 2025, especially the recent annual meeting of the International Criminal Court, which “ended with more of a whimper than a bang,” they say. So what’s the storm like in The Hague? And what is it like behind the scenes? “Everybody wanted to put a brave face” and claim that the court is not affected by sanctions and political and budget pressure. But then judges under U.S. sanctions have begun to speak out about how it impacts their own life. “Suddenly when you explain what it’s like you get people’s attention.” 

While the court is trying to act as if everything is normal, it is not. How about the way the court is handling its own internal trouble, including allegations of sexual misconduct and toxic atmosphere? “Everything is messy, everybody is leaking.”

And then there is so much going on around the world. And that, you will keep hearing about it on this podcast and in Justice Info in 2026. 

Recommended reading

In the ICC courtroom in The Hague, before the judges, three elephants are depicted with an inscription in front of each one: ‘Karim Khan’, “Sanctions” and ‘Cooperation’.

After the ICC Assembly, the elephants remain in the room

Asymmetrical Haircuts podcastASYMMETRICAL HAIRCUTS

This podcast has been published as part of a partnership between Justice Info and Asymmetrical Haircuts, a podcast on international justice produced from The Hague by journalists Janet Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg, who retain full control and independence over the contents of the podcast.