What these former White House, Justice Department, and Pentagon attorneys did do was to wrestle with complex, largely unsettled questions about the parameters of American law.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Spain's 'universal jurisdiction' power play

"Many serious obstacles remain, yet the first step toward peace must be a steadfast conviction that a solution is possible within the parameters of international law and the resolutions of the United Nations, " he said.

CNN: Pope in Malta after peace plea