ALONG with his domestic agenda, Donald Trump is busy ripping to shreds the post-World War II ‘rules-based international order’ that his country helped forge. The latest salvo in the Trumpian campaign have been sanctions targeted at the International Criminal Court. Mr Trump has signed an executive order sanctioning individuals investigating the US or its allies, namely Israel, America’s most allied of allies. The move appears to have been prompted by the ICC investigation probing the Israeli prime minister for war crimes in Gaza. According to Mr Trump’s order, the ICC has “engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions” targeting the US and Israel. During his last stint in the White House, Mr Trump had also sanctioned the then ICC prosecutor and another official over investigations of possible US war crimes in Afghanistan. Neither the US nor Israel is a member of the court. However, a large chunk of the global community disagrees with Mr Trump’s assault on the ICC; 79 states have signed a joint statement defending the global court’s work — including staunch US allies such as France, Germany and the UK.

The message the latest move sends to the world is that of hyper American exceptionalism, that the US and its vassal Israel are beyond reproach, that powerful actors can literally get away with murder. Though the prevailing international system has largely been used by powerful states of the Global North to target foes who do not toe the line, while looking the other way as allies break the rules, there can be little disagreement with the ICC’s mandate: to punish those involved in crimes against humanity. And what Israel has committed against the Palestinians since October 2023 is an egregious crime against humanity. Instead of being dismantled, the system should be improved so that all states are subject to the same rules, and the rich and the strong are not able to evade justice. But expecting the current US administration to help create a more equal world is delusional. The current order is collapsing, and the Trump administration is hastening its demise. Hence, a new, fair global order is required, which focuses on justice — in all its forms — and equality, balanced with respect for sovereignty. The Global South should help build this new world, along with states that share universal values.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2025