US Policy Shift Challenges International Law

The rules-based global order, including its institutions and value system, is facing a significant crisis of legitimacy and credibility. This decline is attributed to the United States turning away from established international norms. The post-World War II framework for international relations appears to be collapsing.

Western leaders in 2025 believe the world is living through a transitional period described by Antonio Gramsci as an interregnum. In this state, the old world is dying while a new world struggles to be born. Every act, even the smallest, may acquire decisive weight during such times. The shift in US policy has created a void in global leadership, leaving the future of international law uncertain.

The rules-based global order is currently facing a severe crisis of legitimacy and credibility. This instability stems largely from the United States turning away from long-standing international commitments. The institutions and value systems established to maintain global stability are being fundamentally challenged.

The current situation reflects a broader collapse of the world of international relations established after the Second World War. That framework, which guided global diplomacy for decades, has reportedly crashed to a halt. The withdrawal of the US from its traditional role has left a significant vacuum in international governance.

Western leaders in 2025 appear convinced that the world is living through a transitional period known as an interregnum. This concept is derived from the writings of the Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci. He described such periods as times when the old world is dying and a new world struggles to be born.

Gramsci suggested that during these interregnums, "every act, even the smallest, may acquire decisive weight". This observation highlights the volatility of the current geopolitical landscape. The actions taken by nations during this transition could have profound and lasting effects on the future structure of global relations.

The shift in US policy has created uncertainty regarding the future of international law. The post-WWII order relied heavily on American leadership to enforce rules and mediate conflicts. Without this anchor, the efficacy of international agreements is being called into question.

Key areas of concern include:

• The stability of global diplomatic norms
• The enforcement capacity of international bodies
• The credibility of the value systems underpinning global trade and security

These developments suggest a potential reordering of global power dynamics.

The current era is defined by the tension between the collapsing old order and the emerging new one. As the United States steps back, other nations and non-state actors may seek to fill the void. The nature of the future world order remains undefined.

The crisis of legitimacy facing international institutions suggests that simple repairs are insufficient. Instead, a fundamental restructuring of global governance may be necessary. The decisive weight of current actions will determine whether the new world that is born is one of cooperation or fragmentation.