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From the ICC’s inception, the US objected to the possibility that US nationals could be subject to its jurisdiction. 
The administration of former US president George W Bush waged an aggressive campaign to persuade states to sign “Article 98”, or bilateral immunity agreements. Those that signed agreed not to transfer US nationals to the ICC. 
Between 2002 and 2009, sanctions were implemented on states that refused to sign.
  
       
 
 
 
 
