Dangerous ‘new normal’

In the thick of mounting global uncertainty, this article strikes at the heart of a world teetering on the edge of chaos. With conflicts spreading like wildfire and multilateralism gasping for breath, the international order is clearly off balance. She pulls no punches in exposing the glaring double standards of Western powers, who call out Russia’s aggression in Ukraine while turning a blind eye to Israel’s merciless pounding of Gaza. The rules-based order, once paraded as the pillar of global peace, is now being trampled by the very nations that claim to uphold it. With preemptive strikes masked as defence, and international law being tossed aside like yesterday’s news, a dangerous ‘new normal’ is setting in, one where might is right and diplomacy is left hanging by a thread.

The world, it seems, is bracing for a storm of its own making. With defence budgets ballooning, nuclear ambitions getting a second wind, and diplomacy pushed to the sidelines, global stability is becoming a pipe dream. The Sipri and IISS reports paint a grim picture: countries are arming to the teeth, not for peace, but out of sheer fear. The failure of the UN, hobbled by its veto-wielding giants, to curb bloodshed or uphold justice is fueling this fire. The lesson? Without reforms, without fairness, and without real consequences for aggression, global disorder won’t just be the exception—it’ll be the rule. As history reminds us, peace built on force is nothing but a house of cards.

Overview:

This article critically examines the rising global instability marked by conflict, militarization and the erosion of international norms. It argues that the world has entered a dangerous era where powerful nations flout international law with impunity, leading to an alarming breakdown of multilateral systems. The author underscores the failures of global institutions, especially the UN Security Council, in preventing wars and maintaining peace.

NOTES:

The article is important for understanding the dynamics of contemporary global politics, especially how power asymmetry affects international law and diplomacy. It connects with themes like global governance, international security and the evolving nature of multilateralism. Aspirants should focus on the implications of declining trust in international institutions, rising defence expenditures, and the resurgence of nuclear ambitions.

Relevant to CSS syllabus or subjects::

• International Relations
• Current Affairs
• Global Issues (Essay Paper)
• Pakistan Affairs (Global Power Politics and Its Implications for Pakistan)

Notes for Beginners:

This article helps us understand how powerful countries today are ignoring international rules to serve their own interests. For instance, while Russia is being condemned for attacking Ukraine, many Western nations support Israel’s attacks on Gaza without any criticism. This shows the double standards in global politics. Defence spending around the world has reached record highs and more countries are thinking of getting nuclear weapons for protection. This article also highlights how institutions like the United Nations have failed to stop wars or punish violators, making people lose trust in them. For example, the UN could not stop the genocide in Gaza because powerful members blocked actions against Israel. All these facts indicate that the world is moving towards a dangerous future unless fairness and international law are restored.

Facts and Figures:

• Global defence spending reached a record high, according to the 2025 Sipri and IISS reports.
• Nuclear powers attacked Iran and Ukraine, both non-nuclear states, leading other countries to reconsider their security strategies.
• UN credibility is questioned by leaders like Ban Ki-moon and Guterres, who called out its dysfunction and broken trust.
• No condemnation from Western nations for Israel’s strike on Iran, despite clear violations of international law.

To wrap up, this article nudges us to think critically about who controls the rules and why. It offers powerful insights into the unraveling global order and the urgent need for principled leadership and institutional reform before the tide turns irreversibly.

Difficult Words and Meanings:

• Geopolitics: Politics influenced by geographical factors.
• Synonym: Geostrategy | Antonym: Domestic politics

• Impunity: Freedom from punishment or consequences.
• Synonym: Exemption | Antonym: Accountability

• Multilateralism: Cooperation among several nations.
• Synonym: Alliance | Antonym: Unilateralism

• Denouement: The final outcome or climax of a situation.
• Synonym: Conclusion | Antonym: Beginning