On September 10th, U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton flayed the ICC for its corruption, mismanagement and partiality. After considerable months of silence from the US administration, the comments placed the spotlight squarely back on Fatou Bensouda’s submission to open an investigation into US war crimes committed in relation to the Afghanistan conflict. Yet whilst most of the attention was given towards Bolton’s threats, the proposed investigation carries with it significant implications that extend beyond the two parties and indeed influence the future of international law.