Once powerful states begin treating international law as optional, the rules-based order begins to erode. Before World War II, repeated violations of international law were justified as necessary responses to ideological or security threats. By the time the world recognized that the “cure” was as destructive as the disease, the international system had already collapsed. In that world, legal norms, democratic values and moral arguments matter less than geography and strategic bargaining. Supporting the erosion of international norms today — even when politically tempting — weakens the very system Taiwan depends on tomorrow.

Source: Taipei Times January 06, 2026 17:35 UTC