The application of law of the international contract experienced an origin and development that went to law of nations to law merchant in the Middle Ages from conflict of laws to unify private law.

国际合同的法律适用经历了从罗马万民法到中世纪商人法再到冲突法及至统一私法的沿革，其实质是在寻找调整国际合同关系的“适当法”；

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Many observers, like Douglas Farah, who co-wrote a book on Bout called Merchant of Death, believed Bout was operating with impunity in an international arena that was literally above the law.

FORBES: The Merchant of Death is Coming to America