A: Hey there! Heard any interesting news lately?
B: Not really, what's up?

A: So, the Trump administration just announced more sanctions! This time it's on some officials at that International Criminal Court in The Hague.
B: Oh? What did they do wrong?

A: Well, last November, they issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a former Defense Minister over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
B: Oh wow, that's serious!

A: Exactly! The US department said three of these officials were sanctioned because they authorized or upheld those arrest warrants. The fourth was for allowing an investigation into US personnel in Afghanistan.
B: That sounds like a big deal...

A: It sure is! Trump's Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, even called the court a "national security threat" and said it's been used against the US and Israel.
B: I see... So, they're not happy with the court then?

A: Definitely not! In fact, back in February, Trump signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against the ICC. They actually announced sanctions on four ICC judges back in June.
B: Wow, that's intense. But isn't Japan a member of the court? What about our Japanese judge, Akane Tomoko?

A: Yes, you're right! Japan and Palestine are members, but not the US or Israel. Interestingly, Akane Tomoko is actually the court's president. So she's there, but it could be a tricky situation for her.