Introduction

Young-OGEMID (YO) is proud to launch a new series for its members: the Hot Topic Discussions. As part of this series, YO will invite experts to participate in a virtual (online) discussion/ rapid-response presentation on 'hot topics' of interest in international arbitration. The first such discussion took place from 15 March to 21 March 2022 and featured expert panelists Markus Wagner ("Markus") and J Benton Heath ("Ben").

Ben is an assistant professor of law at Temple University in Philadelphia, where his teaching and research interests include international law, global security, investment law, trade, arbitration, civil procedure, and administrative law. He previously worked on issues relating to international economic law for the U.S. Department of State and at the law firm Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle in New York. His forthcoming piece, Making Sense of Security, will appear in the American Journal of International Law next month.

Markus is Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong and the Director of the UOW Transnational Law and Policy Centre (TLPC). He teaches and researches in the areas of international law, international trade and investment, peace and security, dispute resolution and constitutional law. He is the Executive Vice-President of the Society of International Economic Law (SIEL) and has advised governments and international organizations on matters of international economic law and international security.

The topic for discussion was the financial and economic ramifications of Russia's aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. Amongst other issues, the panelists spoke about the current measures as a matter of international law and the likelihood of investment arbitration arising as a result of various measures.