Original Article from Nadia Schadlow of Freedom Frequency
Every system or policy in international relations no matter how well intentioned and carefully detailed depends on state actors for execution and maintenance. The old, rule-based, multilateral order established by the U.S. and its allies after WW2, contrary to Nadia Schadlow’s affirmation, is not collapsing because of its inherent flaw, notably the absence of an overarching supreme body to enforce rules. Instead, the Old Order is collapsing because the custodian-in-chief of the Old Order, the U.S. elected presidents at different times, who decided to undermine a system that their more astute predecessors put in place.
The first U.S. President who broke with the international order was George W. Bush when he invaded Iraq to effect a regime change against the decision of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). At the time, Bush was unapologetic as he declared that he: “helped to deliver the Iraqi people from an outlaw dictator,” but the United Nations Secretary General at the time, Kofi Annan insisted it was illegal because it lacked the approval of the UNSC.
Amidst other reasons, personal vendetta contributed to Bush’s insistence on toppling Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi state after suffering defeat in the Gulf War plotted the assassination of George H.W. Bush in 1993. A decade later, the son of George H.W. Bush hid under a phantom Iraqi “weapons of mass destruction” accusation to collect his pound of flesh.
In doing so, he destroyed the foundation and legacy of several American presidents who worked tirelessly to nurture and promote the multilateral order. Contrast Bush’s illegal action in Iraqi with President Eisenhower’s position on the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956. France, Israel and Britain invaded Egypt to regain control of the Suez Canal but the American president sided with the UN against traditional American allies. It was the proper thing to do and it earned America global credibility as a benign hegemon.
Bush’s lawless invasion of Iraq sowed the seeds for Putin’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Pointedly, Putin, in his essay: “The Threat to Ukraine from the West,” referred to America’s unilateral and lawless action in Iraq, as well the questionable “humanitarian interventions” in Libya and Kosovo. Without Bush’s lawless invasion of Iraq in 2003, there would be no Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
If the Old Order which America and its allies instituted must stand, then successive American Presidents, as custodians-in-chief, must commit to subjecting the US to the rule-based Old Order. There is nothing wrong with the Old Order, except that it limits the ambitions of imperialist American presidents.
The Merits of the Old Order and How it has Served America
Before and at the start of WWII, America was steep in isolationism. Senator Arthur Vandenberg was popular for advocating a nationalist foreign policy for Washington and as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations he was a torn on the side of President Franklin Roosevelt. Then Pearl Harbor happened and Vandenberg made his stunning speech on January 10, 1945, on the floor of the Senate: “I have always been frankly one of those who believed in our own self-reliance. —- But I do not believe that any nation hereafter can immunize itself by its exclusive action,” Vandenberg stated that science has promoted mass murder in warfare, and called for a united international action, “one for all, and all for one,” so future generations can live in peace. Consequently, Vandenberg mobilized bipartisan support for the formation of NATO and the landmark policy indicating American Congress approval for the transatlantic military organization is fittingly called the Vandenberg Resolution.
The UN, the World Bank, IMF, ICC, ICJ, NATO and others are part of the Old Order. Together, they provided political and economic stability and advanced America’s national interests and helped to spread Washington’s soft power across the globe. It made America home for the best from every tribe and culture in the world.
Every leap year, at the conclusion of the Olympic games, America sits at the apex of the medals table just as the American dollar reigns as the world’s standard currency. Washington is home to the UNGA, the UNSC, the World Bank, IMF and several other multilateral institutions which place America as the focal point of the diplomatic community. At the peak of its soft power every country in the world deferred to America.
Trumpism is the Rule of the Jungle; It is not “the New Order.”
What Trump and his enablers in Washington are promoting is not a New Order. There is nothing new in stronger countries sacking smaller countries and looting their resources. It is as ancient and as primitive as the world in its crude form. Like animals in the wild, human beings in all parts of the world engaged in these games of survival of the craftiest and the strongest until higher moral norms prevailed. In Europe, the Treaty of Westphalia put an end to endless wars and bloodletting; and encouraged cooperation and respect for sovereignty. In South Africa, after several decades, norms, support for Frontline States and opposition parties, coupled with sweeping sanctions succeeded in pulling down apartheid.
Similarities between Baghdad 2003 and Tehran 2026
There are parallels between events in Baghdad 2003 and the current invasion of Tehran in 2026. Saddam after suffering defeat in the Gulf War ordered the assassination of the American president in 1993. The plot failed but the younger Bush did not forget. In 2020, Trump ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani. Four years later, a certain Pakistani, named Asif Merchant was recruited by Tehran to make a hit on Trump. Asif Merchant was arrested and is currently facing trial but Trump did not forget the figure behind the order from Tehran.
The War in Tehran is about Hegemonic Control and Containment
Trump fancies himself as the emperor of the world who can call on vassal states to join him in battle against perceived adversaries. Allies who refuse his command will feel the wrath of the king. Trump threatened punitive trade policies against Spain for refusing to allow Washington use of Spanish bases in Morón and Rotafor. Even British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who offered logistics support but criticized the invasion received a tongue lashing.
Overall, Trump’s rule of the jungle is meant to contain China, Russia and establish Washington as the undisputed hegemon. For Trump, there is only one table and chair on the podium of the world’s political stage. All other countries can stand while they receive instructions from the emperor.
The Risks and Benefits of Trump’s Rule of the Jungle
Trump’s trashing of international law and transactional approach to governance cause great harm to America’s image and national interests. A publication by Chatham House stated the concern of US business leaders who insisted that business requires stability. Former Merck CEO Ken Frazier lamented the erosion of “basic norms, values and respect for the rule of law that has made the American economy what it is.” A Pew research in 2025 showed that confidence in the US president decreased considerably around the world.
While Trump’s policies pose substantial risks to Americans, they bring great personal rewards to Trump and his cronies. In 2025, Trump family’s cryptocurrency was used in $2 billion Emirati investment. Trump’s right hand man Steve Witkoff was also mentioned as beneficiary in the deal that facilitated importation of rare artificial intelligence chips to the UAE. There have also been allegations that Trump’s unstable tariff policies were deliberate actions to manipulate the market and encourage insider trading. One may throw in the Qatari private jet gift to the American president.
While Americans prepare to pay more at gas stations after Iran’s invasion, Trump is positioning himself as the kingmaker-in-chief to appoint the next leader of Iran. Venezuela has given more than 80 million barrels of oil to the US according to Trump and the US President promised American oil chiefs positive investment opportunities in Caracas. However, a recent PEW research shows that seven out of ten Americans say the economic condition of Americans are worse under Trump compared to few years ago under Biden, only three out of ten Americans say the economy is better under Trump.
Prescription to Strengthen the Old Order
For more than a century, nature, Europe and the rest of the world have contributed to make the US the focal point of the world. Without Alaska and Louisiana give away land sales to America by Russia and France, America would probably not be the global hegemon it is today. Now Trump’s gunboat diplomacy may cause Europe and other countries to look inward and elsewhere, but it will take something extremely dramatic to change America’s unassailable political position in the next decade. Hopefully, American voters, like Israelites who demanded for a king in Biblical times, have learnt their lessons about wanting “a strong president.” However, should they repeat the mistake a third time, it will hasten the demise of America as a global brand.
The world needs an American president who is committed to upholding the old, rule-based order. The world needs an American President who understands and appreciates the unique, God-given position of America in the universe and is committed to using that powerful position for the good of humanity and not for personal aggrandizement. It is not coincidental that the first names of eight out of America’s first-eleven presidents are those of the Disciples of Jesus. In fact, six out of the first-seven presidents of America, share the same first names as the Disciples of Jesus. Like the Disciples, they were not perfect, some of them even owned slaves, but they were committed Christians, above all they were patriotic Americans who genuinely cared for America and Americans. One of them, John Adams, was the first president to live in the White House and he made this prayer about future occupants of the White House: “I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof.” Indeed, America has been blessed by a long line of “honest and wise” presidents. Unfortunately, Trump possesses neither of these sterling attributes and Americans and the world are bleeding for the grave error.
Conclusion
Every four years, when Americans go to the poll, they do not just elect an American President into office to oversee the affairs of the US, Americans place in office with their votes or apathy for politics a candidate who will determine the fate of millions of people around the world. It is a sacred duty, one which Americans must undertake with all seriousness knowing that with their votes they are placing the destinies of millions of people across different borders and cultures in the hand of the American President.
This is the reality of today’s politics and it not going to change anytime soon, except North Korea, China, and Russia band together to say enough is enough. The consequence of that will be unimaginable. It will be Armageddon, as it will mean life as we know it will come to a shattering halt. American electorates and politicians can save the world from possible extinction by using their God-ordained position in the interest of humanity.
