The Shifting Parameters of Nationality 293 No less than four articles concern (particular aspects of) the acquisition of nationality. David Owen’s article ‘On the Right to have Nationality Rights: Statelessness, Citizenship and Human Rights’ critically analyses the extent to which international law protects a right to have a nationality. The extent to which choices in terms of nationality issues still constitute the last bastion of state sovereignty are obviously a key consideration. He emphasises the crucial importance of this right to a nationality, while drawing extensively on the equality principle, but also identifies various flaws as to the implementation of this right. René de Groot and Olivier Vonk discuss in their article the global trends regarding the two main systems of acquisition of nationality by birth, namely ius soli and ius sanguinis. The article by Iseult Honohan and Nathalie Rougier continues the focus on global birth right citizenship laws but adds an important focus, more particularly the extent to which these systems realise the inclusion of persons with a migrant origin. Sabrina Wollmann’s article may at first sight have a very specific focus on ‘Recent trends in Nationality Requirements in Olympic Sports’, it actually picks up an important question, namely the extent to which nationality can be acquired when this is (predominantly) for instrumental reasons. This obviously ties in with the discussion of the underlying rationale of nationality, which also underlies the systems of birth right nationality. In his article for this special issue, ‘The Next Frontier: Dual Nationality as a Multi-Layered Concept’, Patrick Wautelet identifies the shifts over time in the baseline approach of international law regarding dual nationality, while calling for a further differentiation in that approach, more particularly considering the different strength of the ties one has with the respective states concerned. The particular position of dual nationals is also focused upon in the article by Laura van Waas and Sangita Jaghai, in which they problematize that dual nationals are differently and disproportionately affected by the recent measures states adopt to deprive persons (suspected from) having engaged in terrorist activities from their nationality. Helen Oosterom-Staples’ article ‘The Triangular Relation between Nationality, EU citizenship and Migration in EU Law: A Tale of Competing Competences’ addresses the related instance of multiple, intersecting memberships, status and rights. Her discussion confirms the central importance of entry and residence rights (translating into ‘intra-EU mobility’ rights) to effectuate membership. Her analysis furthermore reveals how de facto pressures flowing from membership in a supranational organization ‘guide’ states’ sovereign choices in relation to nationality issues, where she points to an informal harmonisation process, bringing the conditions for acquisition and loss of nationality in the Member States closer together. Eileen Denza’s article zooms in on one of the protection mechanisms that are contingent on nationality, namely diplomatic protection. She provides a comprehensive account of diplomatic protection, including its meaning, the interrelation with human rights (protection mechanisms), and the specific position of dual nationals and EU citizens. 123