Israel, Iran and the US — why 2025 is a turning point for the international order
Israel's large-scale attack against Iran on 13 June, which it conducted without UN Security Council approval, prompted retaliation from Tehran. Both sides traded strikes, with more than 400 Iranians and 14 Israelis killed by 24 June.
The escalation has broader consequences. It further isolates institutions like the UN, International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), which have found themselves increasingly sidelined as Israel's assault on Gaza has progressed. These bodies now appear toothless.
The world appears to be facing an unprecedented upending of the post-1945 international legal order. Israel's government is operating with a level of impunity rarely seen before. At the same time, US President Donald Trump and his administration are actively undermining the global institutions designed to enforce international law.
Other global powers, including Russia and China, are taking this opportunity to move beyond the Western rules-based system. The combination of a powerful state acting with impunity and a superpower disabling the mechanisms of accountability marks a global inflection point.
It is a moment so stark that we may have to rethink what we thought we knew about the conduct of international relations and the management of conflict, both for the Palestinian struggle and the international system of justice built after World War 2.
The Israeli government is, in addition to its pre-emptive air campaign against Iran's nuclear programme, advancing with impunity on three other fronts. It is tightening its hold on Gaza and the prospect of a lasting occupation is increasingly possible.
Senior Israeli ministers have also outlined plans for the annexation of large parts of the occupied West Bank through settlement expansion. This is now proceeding unchecked. Israel confirmed plans in May to create 22 new settlements there, including the legalisation of those already built without government authorisation.
This is being accompanied by provocative legislation such as a bill that would hike taxes on foreign-funded NGOs. The Israeli government is also continuing its attempts to reduce the independence of the judiciary. Hardline elements of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet say they will collapse the government if he dares to change course.
The ICJ moved with urgency in response to Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. In January 2024, it found evidence that Palestinians in Gaza were at risk of genocide and ordered Israel to implement provisional measures to prevent further harm.
Then, in May 2024, as Israeli forces pressed an offensive, the ICJ issued another ruling ordering Israel to halt its military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah immediately. It also called on Israel to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
The court went further in July 2024, issuing a landmark advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal. The ICC took bold action by issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, and the leaders of Hamas.
Disregarding international law
These dramatic attempts to enforce international law failed. Israel only agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Gaza in January when Washington insisted, which demonstrated that the US remains the only possible brake on Israel.
But the second Trump administration is even more transactional than the first. It prioritises trade deals and strategic alliances – particularly with the Gulf states – over the enforcement of international legal norms.
In January, Trump issued an executive order authorising sanctions on the ICC over the court's 'illegitimate' actions against the US and its 'close ally Israel'. These sanctions came into effect a little over a week before Israel launched its strikes on Iran.
Trump then withdrew the US from the UN Human Rights Council and extended a funding ban on the UN's relief agency for Palestinian refugees.
A further executive order issued in February directed the State Department to withhold portions of the US contribution to the UN's regular budget. Trump also launched a 180-day review of all US-funded international organisations, foreshadowing further exits or funding cuts across the multilateral system.
In May, the US and Israel then advanced a new aid mechanism for Gaza run by private security contractors operating in Israeli-approved 'safe zones'. Aid is conditional on population displacement, and civilians in northern Gaza have been denied access unless they relocate.
This approach, which has been condemned by humanitarian organisations, contravenes established humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality.
Turning point
In effect, one pillar of the post-war order is attacking another. The leading founder of the UN is now undermining the institution from within, wielding its Security Council veto to block action while simultaneously starving the organisation of resources. The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on 4 June.
The implications of this turning point in the international order are already playing out across the globe. Russia is continuing its war of aggression in Ukraine despite rulings from the ICJ and extensive evidence of war crimes. It knows that enforcement mechanisms are weak and fragmented and the alternative Trumpian deal-making can be played out indefinitely.
And China is escalating military pressure on Taiwan. It is employing grey-zone tactics, doing everything possible in provocation and disinformation below the threshold of open warfare, undeterred by legal commitments to a peaceful resolution.
These cases are symptoms of a collapse in the credibility of the post-1945 legal order. Israel's policy in Gaza and its attack on Iran are not exceptions, but the acceleration. They are confirmation to other states that law no longer constrains power, institutions can be bypassed and humanitarian principles can be used for political ends. DM
Brian Brivati is a visiting professor of contemporary history and human rights at Kingston University in London, England.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
2 hours ago
- eNCA
US Senate in final push to pass Trump spending bill
WASHINGTON - US senators were in a marathon session of amendment votes as Republicans sought to pass Donald Trump's flagship spending bill, an unpopular package set to slash social welfare programs and add an eye-watering $3-trillion to the national debt. The president wants his "One Big Beautiful Bill" to extend his expiring first-term tax cuts at a cost of $4.5-trillion, boost military spending and fund his plans for unprecedented mass deportations and border security. But senators eyeing 2026 midterm congressional elections are divided over provisions that would strip around $1-trillion in subsidised health care from millions of the poorest Americans and add more than $3.3-trillion to the nation's already yawning budget deficits over a decade. Trump wants to have the package on his desk by the time Independence Day festivities begin on Friday. Progress in the Senate slowed to a glacial pace Monday, however, with no end in sight as the so-called "vote-a-rama" -- a session allowing members to offer unlimited amendments before a bill can move to final passage -- went into a 17th hour. Trump defended the bill in a series of Truth Social posts overnight Tuesday, as "perhaps the greatest and most important of its kind in history" and said failure to pass would mean a "whopping 68 percent tax increase, the largest in history." With little sign of the pace picking up ahead of a final floor vote that could be delayed until well into the early hours of Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called for Republicans to "stay tough and unified." Vote-a-ramas have been concluded in as little nine or 10 hours in the recent past and Democrats accused Republicans of deliberately slow-walking the process. "They've got a lot of members who were promised things that they may not be able to deliver on. And so they're just stalling," Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters. "But we're just pushing forward amendment after amendment. They don't like these amendments. The public is on our side in almost every amendment we do." Given Trump's iron grip on the party, he is expected to eventually get what he wants in the Senate, where Republicans hold a razor-thin majority and can overcome what is expected to be unified Democratic opposition. That would be a huge win for the Republican leader -- who has been criticized for imposing many of his priorities through executive orders that sidestep the scrutiny of Congress. But approval by the Senate is only half the battle, as the 940-page bill next heads to a separate vote in the House of Representatives, where several rebels in the slim Republican majority are threatening to oppose it.
The Herald
3 hours ago
- The Herald
Government seeks extension of Trump tariff deadline to pursue trade deal
South Africa has asked for more time to negotiate a trade deal with US President Donald Trump's administration before his higher tariff regime goes into effect on July 9, the trade, industry and competition department said on Tuesday. Trump imposed a 31% tax on US imports from South Africa in April as part of his global 'reciprocal' tariffs, before pausing their application for 90 days to allow negotiations. South Africa aims to secure a trade deal that would exempt some of its key exports from the tariffs, including cars, car parts, steel and aluminium. It has offered to buy liquefied natural gas from the US in exchange. It is also seeking a maximum tariff application of 10% as a worst-case scenario, the department said. South African officials met assistant US trade representative for Africa Connie Hamilton in Luanda last week and learnt that the US was developing a template to use for its engagements with African countries. 'In view of this development, African countries, including South Africa, have advocated for the extension of the 90-day deadline to enable countries to prepare their proposed deals in accordance with the new template,' the department said.
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Sudan famine fears rise as UN food aid dries up
The United Nations (UN) funding crisis is contributing to a rise in starvation and malnutrition among millions of refugees in Sudan. The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that there could be a major cutback in the delivery of vital food assistance. Seven neighbouring nations (Central Africa, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Uganda, and South Sudan) are currently sheltering displaced Sudanese while dealing with this crisis. Extreme food insecurity and a high degree of conflict already exist in many host countries. This funding crisis is currently making the UN's operations extremely challenging. Major donors, including the United States, have significantly reduced their spending on foreign aid. The United States has cut some of its aid funding for the United Nations (Sudan), as well as several other countries. Additionally, other traditional donors, such as Germany and the United Kingdom (UK), have cut back on aid spending. As a result of this, the WFP had to make significant budget cuts. The Armed Forces of Sudan's (SAF) commander, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is fighting his former subordinate, General Mohamed 'Hemedti' Dagalo. Hemedti leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), embroiled in a power struggle amidst the war in Sudan. Their disagreement centres on when and how to integrate the RSF into the SAF, a crucial step in shifting to civilian rule. Former President Omar al-Bashir established the RSF in 2013, designing its command structure and economic networks to function as an autonomous force that would balance the military and safeguard his government from coups. Existing problems like the collapse of economic funding, climatic crises, and violence have become worse because of this war. The dispute between military chiefs General Burhan and General Dagalo has plunged the country into crisis and chaos. In 2025, Sudan's humanitarian response plan only received 14.4%, or US$599.6 million (R10.9 billion), of the US$4.16 billion (R75.5 billion) needed for all domestic aid. Despite this, over the next six months, the WFP urgently needs an extra US$200 million (roughly R3.6 billion) for its regional refugee response in neighbouring countries. Humanitarian assistance may end if immediate funding is not provided. With the daily influx of refugees, supplies in Chad are running low amidst the crisis. Inside Sudan, over eight million people are on the brink of famine. Acute malnutrition disproportionately affects children, especially during critical periods. The WFP urges the international community to mobilise additional resources. HOW CAN THE UN STOP SUDAN FROM EXPERIENCING THIS CRISIS? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
