In any international system, there are certain rules implemented with the goal to stabilise the inevitable rumble for power between different entities within the system. With the full-blown Russian attack on the Ukraine, our current system, influenced by western thinkers of the enlightenment period, is doomed to failure.
The western liberal order under Anglo-American dominance, in the modern version, was introduced by the United States of America after the Second World War, but limited in its scale and ability caused by the major influence of the Soviet Union in many parts of the world.
Then, after the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the era of a unipolar world order under American surveillance started. The US was the all-dominating superpower, the single focal point of the construction of order in global affairs.
Now, after 30 years of US dominance, it becomes clear that they failed, in an almost incomparable manner.
The problems started right after the end of the Cold War and the Warsaw Pact. Against all documented promises and common sense, the United States pushed for NATO to expand to the east of Europe, with Ukraine and Georgia as the most upfront states to get a prospect of becoming members of the alliance. Until that point, Russia under was in fact surprisingly open towards the West, willing to build a new relationship with the class enemies from the old days.
What may sound surprising for many people in the West, but will ultimately become a more and more appealing interpretation of the current event for people in other parts of the world, is Russias unwillingness to recognise the deeply anchored goal of the Anglo-American world to destroy all opposition against their interests, including regime changes even in a gigantic country like Russia. It’s actually surprising how long it took Russia to react to their major lost of influence in their neighbour country Ukraine.
With the Americans unable to implement any order in eastern Europe that seriously took reality into account, their dangerous mixture of hubris, ignorance and newly self-doubt lead to the escalation of events concerning Russia. The attack against Ukraine is just the latest step in this circle.
The fact that China in fully backing Russia in their attempt to gain power over Kiev shows the deep disruption within the international system. Whatever we thought the current systems stands for we have to rethink completely. It doesn’t stand anymore.
Simon Dierich 