Rizwan Mudassir
The world order established after World War II, led primarily by the US and its Western allies, was designed under the guise of promoting international peace, security, and human rights. However, its true purpose often aligned more closely with maintaining Western global dominance. This post-war system has now begun to unravel, largely due to the internal contradictions within the West and the growing challenge posed by China’s rise as an economic and military power.
The United Nations, created in 1945, was meant to be the cornerstone of global peace and security. However, the structure of the UN Security Council, where decisions are dependent on the approval of five permanent members — three of which are Western countries — concentrated significant power in the hands of the US-led West. As a result, despite the UN’s lofty aims, decisions regarding global peace were often subject to the strategic interests of these powers, limiting the effectiveness of the institution in promoting universal security. Throughout the Cold War, the West frequently violated the principles of the UN Charter to serve their national interests, such as in the 1953 CIA-backed coup in Iran or the invasion of Egypt in 1956. These actions demonstrated the selective adherence to international norms when they conflicted with Western agendas.
The unipolar moment that followed the Cold War saw the US asserting its dominance across the globe, further undermining the UN’s credibility. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, for example, was a blatant violation of the UN Charter. Additionally, the US and its Western allies have often acted in ways that have destabilized regions, such as their support for Israel’s aggressive policies towards Palestinians and their attempts to control Middle Eastern energy resources. These actions have not only failed to bring about lasting peace but have contributed to the erosion of the moral purpose that the UN was supposed to serve.
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Economically, institutions like the World Bank and IMF, founded after World War II to encourage international cooperation, have often been used as tools of Western influence. The US has maintained significant control over these bodies, as demonstrated by the gentleman’s agreement that the president of the World Bank is always American, and the managing director of the IMF is European. Such arrangements have allowed the US to maintain its dominance in global economic affairs, using these institutions to serve its own interests and project its political power worldwide.
As China’s economic and military power has grown over the past four decades, it has posed a significant challenge to this established order. China’s rise is pushing for a more balanced global structure, one that accommodates its interests and provides more opportunities for emerging economies. However, the West, particularly the US, is determined to resist any changes to the current system, as seen in the tensions surrounding the South China Sea and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These efforts to preserve the status quo are a reflection of the power struggle between the US-led West and China.
The unraveling of the post-World War II order is driven by two main factors. First, the system is increasingly viewed as serving the narrow interests of the West rather than promoting the broader goals of peace, security, and human rights. The election of Donald Trump, with his “America First” policies, has reinforced this perception. Second, China’s rapid rise is creating a strategic shift, compelling a reevaluation of global rules and institutions. If China continues its rise, significant changes to the world order will be inevitable. However, these changes will likely be gradual, given the West’s resistance to altering the established system.
For countries like Pakistan, the shifting world order presents both challenges and opportunities. To navigate the evolving international environment, Pakistan must focus on achieving political stability, economic self-reliance, and rapid economic progress. Strengthening ties with China, alongside maintaining balanced relationships with other global powers, should be at the core of Pakistan’s foreign policy. By doing so, Pakistan can better position itself in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world.
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