“Universal jurisdiction - a concept in international law - allows judges to issue warrants for nearly any visitor accused of grievous crimes, no matter where they live.”
Absurd. Either we have nations, or we don’t. And if not, then a Spanish court can charge an American soldier for deeds he is accused of in Iraq.
If we are a sovereign nation, then no foreign court has jurisdiction over one of our citizens, for acts not committed in that nation. (And nations used to enforce their sovereignty with gunboats, if necessary.)
It is total nonsense. If you commit a crime in a foreign country, it has the jurisdiction and authority to punish you. Your US citizenship will not protect you.
But how can a Spanish court try a US soldier for an alleged crime in a third country? Total absurdity.