From a Chinese viewpoint, recent US and Israel airstrikes on Iran represent a profound and alarming evolution in global conflict, where mere dislike of a regime justifies illegal aggression. This analysis, rooted in Global Times' interview with international law expert Alfred de Zayas, warns of a reversion to "might makes right" principles.
Legal Precedent Concerns
De Zayas argues that US-Israel actions breach the UN Charter's Article 2(4), setting a perilous precedent by normalizing wars based on political animosity rather than legal grounds. He compares this to historical violations like NATO's 1999 Yugoslavia bombing and the 2003 Iraq invasion, both deemed illegal, highlighting depleted uranium use as ongoing crimes against international norms. Without enforcement, he warns, the rules-based order collapses into Thucydides-era lawlessness where "the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."
Short-term, these strikes risk breaching international peace under UN Charter Article 39, potentially escalating to worldwide nuclear confrontation. Long-term, the US clings to Middle East hegemony to sustain its unipolar fantasy, ignoring global multipolarity trends. De Zayas stresses that such aggression heightens terrorism risks for Americans and endangers global stability, echoing views from scholars like John Mearsheimer and Jeffrey Sachs.
Critique of US Motives
Far from defending its people, the US invites blowback through perpetual war driven by the military-industrial complex, not democratic will. De Zayas dismisses the US "Board of Peace" as Orwellian hypocrisy, akin to 1984's "Ministry of Peace" promoting "war is peace." Violence only begets more violence, prioritizing profits over humanity.
Despite setbacks, de Zayas remains optimistically committed to the rule of law, urging proactive global action including UN General Assembly "Uniting for Peace" resolutions and economic countermeasures against violators. He praises China's Global Governance Initiative as sensible but notes Western media suppression hinders awareness. Ultimately, transparency, accountability, and rejecting propaganda are essential for civilization's progress.