Lawlessness is increasing in today's world. A series of illegal and dangerous wars are also on the rise. The Israeli offensive on Gaza has been ongoing since October 2023. Meanwhile, Israel, a nuclear-armed country, has launched an attack against Iran since June 13, 2025. Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 2022. The member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia are risking nuclear war.

In the latest series of wars, nuclear-armed India and Pakistan fought a four-day war in May 2025. Japan, the country that used nuclear weapons at the end of World War II, is increasingly advocating aggression against China. China, which has nuclear power, is also increasing its military power along with the development of artificial intelligence technology. 

As Hors Lauterpacht said, war is the vanishing point of international law. It is relevant to discuss the challenges of existing lawlessness, diplomacy and international law, focusing on serious issues such as preemptive war, nuclear war, self-defense, terrorism and genocide.

Seven coups in five years

Retired American General Wesley Clark revealed in an interview that the US plans to overthrow seven countries in five years, a video is available online. The coup began in Iraq, followed by Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and finally Iran. Changes have already been made in the 6 countries mentioned. Is the war started by Israel on Iran done on behalf of America or not? Will have to wait to find out. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he wants regime change in Iran. Israel claims to have launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran based on suspicions that if Iran develops a nuclear bomb, it could use it against Israel. 

Lawless world

Philip Sands' book 'Lawless World: America and the Making and Breaking of Global Rules' has been published for almost two decades. The book sparked a debate. The book is a critical examination of how international law and multilateral institutions have been undermined in the post-Cold War world, particularly by powerful Western countries such as the United States and Britain. The book contained a particularly influential critique of global order and a call to defend the rules-based international system. Two decades after the publication of the book, the world is becoming increasingly lawless. 

The themes and arguments of this book are valid even in today's context. The central issue of Sands' book is the US invasion of Iraq. Sands presented extensive evidence of violations of international law, particularly the United Nations Charter. Sands has proved that the US attack against Iraq has no legal justification. 

Sands criticizes the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the International Criminal Court (ICC) for changing from a multilateral system to a unilateral one. Express concern about the weakening of international treaties, such as: the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, the International Criminal Court  Establishing the Rome Statute, the Treaties on Nuclear Weapons and Torture. 

Two decades ago, Sands warned that undermining international legal norms poses a long-term threat to the global order, increases instability and undermines efforts to address global challenges such as climate change, genocide and terrorism. His warning proved true.

Preemptive War

The greatest threat to the international legal order is the successive use of preemptive strikes. A series of preemptive strikes by powerful countries to prevent anticipated attacks from adversaries is increasing. Such predictive attacks are based on false assumptions without factual evidence. They are claiming that such so-called 'preventive attacks' (wars) are a right of self-defence. Lawlessness has become so severe that the war on terror is leading to carnage. 

America and Israel have advanced military technology based on artificial intelligence. Therefore, it has the ability to attack wherever it wants through its air force. Other countries are not in a position to use this level of technology. What if in the future China uses similar attacks on the US and Israel? This is a serious question for America and Israel. Illegal acts do not become legal just because they are done by powerful states. Rather, such actions create a lawless world. Frequent wars as well as environmental destruction (ecocide) have become commonplace. 

Waging a so-called preemptive war under the pretense that an opposing state may wage war is wrong and illegal. Attempting to normalize pre-emptive strikes (or preventive war) in the name of the right of self-defense is wrong and even illegal. So lawlessness has reached its peak. That is, the international legal system and values ​​established after the World War are being directly violated and eroded. 

Principles enshrined in the UN Charter, such as the non-aggression of states against each other, mechanisms established to promote peace, human rights and accountability, have been ignored. Peaceful resolution of international disputes is becoming ineffective. For example, conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, Israel and Iran are examples of this.  Both

attacks and preemptive attacks are illegal under international law. There is also a difference between these two functions. As such, the Russian attack against Ukraine is an example of a purely illegal attack under international law. Similarly, the US war against Iraq (2003) was an illegal invasion. The US attacked Iraq under the pretext of destroying Iraq's alleged 'weapons of mass destruction' in order to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Ultimately, no such weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq. Some studies claim as many as 1 million were killed. America doesn't care how many Iraqis die. No one was held accountable for the illegal war against Iraq. It was the first lawless preemptive attack launched by America, the most powerful country in the world.

The threat of nuclear weapons 

Israel's preemptive strike against Iran is said to have been carried out to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. There appears to be tacit acceptance that Israel has nuclear weapons. Israel has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In this situation, Israel preemptively attacked Iran. 

On the other hand, Iran has signed the NPT. Iran maintains that it only produces nuclear energy, but has no ambitions for nuclear weapons. Iran remains under constant inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (Israel is not). The Energy Agency seeks to promote the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology. In 2015, a nuclear deal was signed with Iran between China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. US President Donald Trump unilaterally canceled the deal during his first term. Currently, on the one hand, US President Trump is threatening Iran to sign a new agreement, and on the other hand, Israel is waging war against Iran.

The right to self-defense and genocide

When Iran retaliated against Israel, most Western powers, including the United States, are insisting on Israel's right to self-defense. China and Russia have recognized Iran's right to self-defense against Israel. The US and Western European countries regard Israel's attacks against Iran as self-defense, ignoring Iran's equal right to self-defense. This is the most absurd example of making a mockery of international law. Actual self-defense is the use of reasonable force to protect oneself immediately from unlawful violence or danger of harm. Self-defense is legal under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Terrorism is a serious global problem, which is recognized by international law as having to be combated through legal means. Genocide against terrorism is not justified under international law. There are rules of war. In times of war, attacks on hospitals, religious buildings, schools, civilian homes and non-military sites are prohibited under international humanitarian law. In addition, it is prohibited to attack the essential items for the survival of citizens such as food supply, water sources and agricultural areas.  The use of force by the

ing state is expected to be proportionate. Under international law, states have the legal right to fight terrorism, but not the right to commit genocide. War crimes and genocide cases are being filed against Israel and Hamas in the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. The International Court of Justice has concluded that Hamas also committed war crimes and that Israel "probably" committed genocide in Gaza. Israel considers these courts and court judges to be anti-Semitic. The US has imposed "sanctions" against international court judges.  Why doesn't

diplomacy work?

When the extremism of one group of people against another group is intense, people hate each other and heads of state or government threaten each other or go to war over geography. Those who speak for peace in times of war are denounced as traitors. It is fair to say that one of the main reasons why diplomacy does not work is the lack of sensible political leadership and skilled diplomats globally. 

Diplomacy has become less effective due to growing global mistrust, increasingly violent nationalism and the breakdown of multilateral institutions. Powerful nations often prioritize their own interests over cooperation. Emerging powers challenge the existing global order. Conflict, misinformation and the rise of authoritarian regimes undermine dialogue and peaceful negotiations. The rapid pace of global crises such as climate change, pandemics and wars often outpaces diplomatic solutions, stalling talks and hardening positions. 

Effective diplomacy depends on building strong relationships, open communication and finding common ground to advance common goals. This requires a deep understanding of the other side's values, culture and interests, along with a willingness to cooperate and compromise. Diplomats can deliver on complex international issues to build trust, build strong relationships and achieve positive outcomes.

There is no alternative to international law

International law focuses on justice, rights, dignity, coexistence and human values. Emphasizes people, not just geography maps. It brings forward the context of human suffering and human rights, not just geopolitical gain. It can guide post-war peacebuilding, when wars end. As borders are drawn, redrawn, populations move and grievances intensify. International law can resolve disputes, restore justice and provide a framework for coexistence rather than endless cycles of revenge.