A dangerous world without rules

The recent events in the Middle East mark the emergence of a new rule-less world. On the basis of Israel, the US and Russia's recent actions in the Middle East and Ukraine, it seems anything goes! This marks the end of the rules based approach to world affairs that has largely operated since World War II. International treaties, overseen by the likes of the United Nations, ensured a steady world peace, though with lesser conflicts and proxy wars still ongoing. The rules based approach was first weakened by the US, when it attacked Iraq without a UN resolution in 2003. The UK duly followed it's special friend into the disastrous conflict. International law was flouted, with no one person or country being brought to account. Next up was Russia invading Ukraine in 2022. No going to the UN, a straight land grab. Thousands dead on both sides with no end in sight. Some 18 months later, Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel claimed. right of self defence, attacking Gaza. The stated object was to defeat Hamas but that action has now gone way beyond self defence. More than 55,000 dead, with the denial of humanitarian aid prolonging the suffering. More than a million people displaced. The US has unquestioningly backed Israel. The British government has backed up its special friend. Now, Israel has attacked Iran. Former US President Bill Clinton has pointed out this attack on Iran has much to do with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaho staying in power. When the fighting stops Netanyaho is likely to be out of office. Most recently, the US bombs Iran, backing up Israel, on the premise of destroying Iran's nuclear bomb making capability. No reference to the UN or even the US Congress, an attack that could have huge implications for world peace launched by a president allegedly committed to peace. The world is now an even more dangerous place. In the US, the rule of law, seems to have been replaced by the law of the jungle and might is right. In the US, the President does as he pleases, the courts seem to have little power to restrain him. The much vaunted US constitution is being tested to breaking point. So the ideals of the rule of law, democracy and peace are all up for grabs it appears. Whether order and the rule of law can be restored in the US and internationally remains to be seen. The alternative hardly bears thinking about.