A fortnight into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the advance of the "special operation" is not going as rapidly or easy as the Kremlin thought it would. While Russian forces whose losses stand at over 11,000 already still desperately attempt to take the capital, Kyiv, and are resorting to ever more brutal means, over 400 civilians have been killed and over two million have fled the country. This is at the time of this writing, anyway.
What will endure throughout history are the consequences of this war, though, the most seismic of which is that Russian President Vladimir Putin has essentially dared to destroy the current world order.
Many amongst Generation Z imagine the modern nation-state system to be the natural order of the world, with clearly established borders determining what makes one a citizen and another a foreigner, or what defines a violation of national sovereignty and what does not.
Many others have come to see it as a Western-imposed fraudulent system, with not only militants holding that view but even those amongst the Western intelligentsia. Noam Chomsky, for example, predicted decades ago that "what would ultimately be necessary would be a breakdown of the nation-state systembecause I think that's not a viable system. It's not necessarily the natural form of human organisation; in fact, it's a European invention pretty much."
That international order stemming from the famed Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which attempted to end the long and bitter internal wars that had ravaged mainland Europe seems on paper like a fair deal: each nation possesses its own borders which are recognised by other nations, allowing its sovereignty and self-determination to be respected by the "international community".
That, of course, did not prevent the extension of the colonial era, and really only applied to European nations, until the various independence movements in Africa and Asia succeeded in the mid- to late-20th century.
Putting aside the concepts of the spread of liberal democracy or the assent to international institutions, which are common concepts in the international order, the core of the order is the concept of the nation-state and the inviolability of sovereign borders. That is the golden rule which must not be transgressed.
The war in Ukraine has taught us the truth about the West's 'universal values'
Off paper, however, the nation-state system's many flaws have been laid bare over the decades, especially in preserving and exacerbating tensions between rival ethnicities and sects throughout much of the developing world. The age of empires may have faded into history, but the nation-state based on a European model seemed,, in many cases, to handle sectarian divisions much worse than some empires ever did.
Despite the many flaws in this kind of system, it has been vigorously regulated and defended over the decades through a number of methods beginning with talks and negotiations, then moving on to sanctions against an invading nation. In the most extreme cases, any leader or any state that attempted to violate this carefully-guarded and fragile international order by attempting to directly expand their borders or dissolving others' was usually met with aggressive force.
The pushback of the Iraqi military from Kuwait in 1991, under the rule of former dictator Saddam Hussein's government, is a prime example of this. After Iraqi forces invaded and occupied the small Gulf nation the previous year, Hussein officially declared Kuwait to be Iraq's 19th province, attempting to effectively wipe the country and its borders from the world map and incorporate it into Iraq's.
That was his gravest error, and has since been seen as the act which set up the demise of Iraqi sovereignty and sealed the fate of the eventual destruction of Saddam Hussein's rule, twelve years later.
This was enabled, not by any moral consequence or 'karma', but by the fact that the Iraqi army was decimated from above by coalition forces upon its withdrawal from Kuwait, leaving an apocalyptic scene in which tens of thousands of Iraqi soldiers were killed on the long road that came to be known as the 'highway of death'.
A similar response was seen more recently in 2014, when the terror group, Daesh, bulldozed the border mound separating Syria from Iraq in a blatant display of disregard to the lines drawn in the Sykes-Picot Agreement. Following that act, policymakers and analysts recognised the internationalist world view that formed the group's vision to transcend the state-based international order.
Unlike other 'jihadist' militias and movements which sought to build their emirates or Islamic governments within the borders of their respective countries, Daesh as well as Al-Qaeda sought to destroy the international order and the concept of nation-states for the sake of a pseudo-'caliphate'. What followed, as we know, was the international community unifying in a military coalition to eliminate the group.
That overwhelming Western military might brought against the likes of Saddam Hussein's army and Daesh, therefore, was the direct response to any serious threat to the current international order.
If Ukraine can have an international brigade, why can't Palestine and Syria?
At this point, many will argue that the numerous military interventions, drone strikes, and bombing campaigns carried out by western nations, such as the US, throughout the decades were also violations of that order but not quite. While they did infringe on the sovereignty of those nations and, at times, directly worked to topple their governments, the US and its allies did not absorb them into their borders.
Afghanistan and Iraq, for example, did not become provinces or states of the US. Even their borders were not altered. Instead, Washington worked to set up friendly governments there, while maintaining its military presence allegedly for security reasons, thus at least in appearance keeping the countries' sovereignty intact and maintaining the international order.
Without getting into the complexities of international law, academics and analysts have outlined that "the temporary occupation of another State's territory encroaches upon its territorial integrity, but it does not entail a revision of its borders."
That may also be a primary reason why Israel has also not been sufficiently held accountable over its occupation of Palestinian territory. While Tel Aviv continues to annex land in the West Bank, it does so gradually, through the expansion of Jewish settlements and the destruction of Palestinian homes, rather than an official military annexation. As there is no Palestinian state, the borders of the West Bank territories under the Palestinian Authority (PA) are also barely enforceable or recognised.
Whether one is for or against western interventionist policies, the US and Israel have played their hand cleverly by only engaging in some sort of indirect colonialism.
The same cannot yet be said for Putin's Russia, which has now stated its aim is to take the entirety of Ukraine. There are real concerns that, if it succeeds, it could set its sights on other neighbouring countries such as Poland or Moldova. For now, we have yet to see whether Putin would fully absorb Ukraine into the Russian Federation or if he would just install a vassal government.
If he chooses the former and especially if he moves further into Europe then we could be seeing Moscow's attempt to create its own new world order. Will there be a 'highway of death' moment for it? Or will the breakdown of this international order be allowed to resume, and possibly lead to its reconstruction?
The World Social Forum and the Peace Agenda
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.
Read the original post:
- Versions of the Golden Rule in dozens of religions and other ... [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Rockwell's "Golden Rule" - Norman Rockwell Museum [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Versions of the Golden Rule in dozens of religions and ... [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Golden Rule - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Golden Rule (fiscal policy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Rockwell's "Golden Rule" - Norman Rockwell Museum [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Health insurance made simple | UnitedHealthOne [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Health insurance made simple | UnitedHealthOne [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- The Golden Rule - harryhiker.com [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- What is the Golden Rule? - GotQuestions.org [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Golden Rule Plumbing Heating & Cooling [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Golden Rule: Treat People as You'd Like to Be Treated [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- What is the Golden Rule? (with pictures) - wiseGEEK [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- World Scripture - The Golden Rule - Unification [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Golden Rule: Treat People as You'd Like to Be Treated [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Golden Rule - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Golden rule (law) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Golden Rule - Robinsons Brewery [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Live by the Golden Rule (pledge/petition/proclamation ... [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- The Golden Rule in World Religions - TeachingValues.com [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- 18 Practical Tips for Living the Golden Rule : zen habits [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Golden Rule Plumbing Heating & Cooling [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Health insurance helps you manage your health care costs ... [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Upcoming Events Welcome the Golden Rule to Poulsbo ... [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2016]
- UCF Golden Rule UCF [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2016]
- VFP Golden Rule Project | Advancing VFP Opposition to ... [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2016]
- Bible Verses About Golden Rule - King James Bible [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2016]
- Why Choose UnitedHealthcare? - uhone.com [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2016]
- Golden Rule Charter School [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2016]
- Golden Rule Chronology - Gensler's Home Page [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2016]
- The Golden Rule | Our Daily Bread [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2016]
- Golden Rule Community CU [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Golden Rule - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Golden LivingCenter Golden Rule [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- The Golden Rule - Life, Hope & Truth [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- Transition Probabilities and Fermi's Golden Rule [Last Updated On: January 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2017]
- Rockwell's "Golden Rule" - Norman Rockwell Museum - The Home ... [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Golden calf - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2017]
- Matriarchy - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2017]
- Opinion: No room for walls in Gospel's Golden Rule - The Catholic Register [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Rev. Jeff Bobin: The Golden Rule - GoErie.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- No Gods, No Masters: Live the Golden Rule - Dissident Voice [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Let the Golden Rule be our response locally and globally - Berkeley Independent [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Good neighbors and the Golden Rule - WiscNews [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Shock on The Voice UK as coaches break a golden rule of the show and meet rejected Blind Audition singer Ciara Harvie - Radio Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Following the golden rule in times of tumult - College Heights Herald [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- The Golden Rule of Business - Times-Citizen Communications [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- A Fool's Golden Rule - Word and Way - Word and Way [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- LETTER: Living by 'Golden Rule' would defeat ISIS - Daily Record - Daily Record [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- h3cz: The Golden Rule of Twitter - Dexerto [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Motivating Your Team: Why The Golden Rule Doesn't Always Apply - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Would golden rule survive if we were under siege? - Port Huron Times Herald [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Apply the Golden Rule to lift results - Business Management Daily [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- United Way to present Golden Rule-Lightkeepers, Fabric of our Community Awards - Jacksonville Daily News [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- 57th District It's the Golden rule: J. Central moves into 7th straight finals - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- From mushroom picker to deputy sheriff: Herc Avello relishes golden rule - Daily Local News [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- The Golden Rule of Social Selling: Solve Your Customer's Problem - Business 2 Community [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Ron Forthofer: To live by the Golden Rule, we must recognize the 'others' - Longmont Times-Call [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Measuring life by the Golden Rule ... not a cellphone app - Bristol Herald Courier (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Apply the Golden Rule to immigrants - Statesman Journal [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Is the Golden Rule Still Alive and Well in America? - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Five golden rules to always be in profit when you invest in equities - Economic Times [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Engineering's Golden Rule - Sourceable [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Email and The Golden Rule - Memphis Daily News - Memphis Daily News [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Golden Rule of Chaplaincy: Thy Shoes Matter - Boston.com [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Career Corner: The Golden Rule - Journal Record (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Much to be gained from Golden Rule - Jackson Clarion Ledger [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- OPINION: If only our institutions practiced the Golden Rule - Cape Cod Times (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- OPINION: If only our institutions practiced the Golden Rule - Nantucket Island Inquirer [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- In the Neighborhood: A Meditation on the Golden Rule, Cheaters, and Prophets - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- The Golden Rule: Not So Golden Anymore | Issue 74 ... [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- The Golden Rule | Our Daily Bread - odb.org [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Prairie Talk: Picture books teach us all - Herald & Review [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- #3 Golden Rules for Entrepreneurs Starting Out Today - Entrepreneur [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- A bowl of water and the golden rule - West Plains Daily Quill [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Hawaii judge upholds America's 'Golden Rule' - CNN [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Letter: If all could only follow the Golden Rule - Olean Times Herald [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- 377A: Remember the golden rule in policymaking | TODAYonline - TODAYonline [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- The Candlery keeps working partners busy - Muskogee Daily Phoenix [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Five golden rules to help solve your recycling dilemmas - The Conversation AU [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]