European policymakers are being urged to reassess long-held assumptions about the international system, as recent global developments challenge the notion that a stable, rules-based order has ever fully existed.
Commentary in European media argues that shifting power dynamics — including renewed US unilateralism and Russia’s assertive foreign policy — have exposed the limits of international norms when they collide with the interests of major states. Figures such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are cited as examples of leaders willing to test or disregard established conventions when it suits strategic goals.
The analysis suggests Europe has often relied on multilateral institutions and legal frameworks that, in practice, have been applied unevenly. Critics argue that selective enforcement and power politics have long shaped global outcomes, undermining claims of a universally respected international order.
In this context, Europe is being encouraged to develop a more realistic foreign policy — one that recognises geopolitical competition while still defending cooperation, international law and diplomacy where possible. This may involve strengthening internal unity, investing in security and resilience, and reassessing relationships with both allies and rivals.
While the idea of a rules-based system remains a guiding principle for many European governments, commentators suggest its future influence will depend less on abstract ideals and more on Europe’s capacity to act collectively in a more fragmented and contested world.
