AN INTERNATIONAL DISORDER

AS multilateralism gives way to an aggressive US unilateralism, the world is witnessing the emergence of a bipolar international world order led by China.

''TODAY, the world order is increasingly chaotic, universal values are being eroded and the rule of law is being undermined.''

The above statement by the United Nations [UN] Secretary General during his speech at the UN General Assembly on 25th September sums up the ominous future faced by the international rule of law.

President Donald J Trump's speech at the UNGA when he proclaimed the US's rejection of the  ideology of globalism has left the world aghast.

In what started as drawing attention to the unprecedented success of his administration - amidst chuckle from international dignitaries - crossed over into positioning US sovereignty and national interest as supreme over and above the US's global commitments.

Before September 25, the world had not witnessed such blatant disregard of the of the global world order by a leader of world's largest superpower.

Themes of international rule of law painstakingly woven together in the fabric of globalism were ripped apart at the very podium of the UNGA where they ought to have been upheld.

President Trump will have his plate full if he is to undo the entire gamut of globalism, and the  international rule of law underpinning the global international framework.

The crafting of the international rule of law, embedded in the global world order, started after World War II. The object was to avoid another global war through a framework of multilateral cooperation between countries.

The result was the establishment of the multilateral UN in 1945. What followed was a  mushrooming of several multilateral treaties between countries.

Interestingly, the United States  was at the forefront of these developments. The road to international cooperation was not without its twists and turns.

Negotiating bilateral treaties required painful compromises that were not always forthcoming.

There were failures and disappointments. But the system - with all its flaws and weaknesses -  worked, albeit imperfectly.

The international system today boasts hundreds of multilateral treaties covering public and private international law across the entire spectrum of state relations.

The international system also disappointed - and miserable failed - on many fronts. There have been several conflicts that caused thousands of deaths. And there continue to remain  burning international disputes that threaten global peace.

The honor and serving of the latest Operational Research and thinking and writing on the World Order at large, continues.

The World Students Society thanks author Hassan Aslam Shad an  International Lawyer and a graduate of  Harvard Law School.