Wednesday, January 28, 2026

The Gradual Formation of a New International Order Based on Competition Among Major Powers

Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated that the decline of the liberal international order began in 2008. Although the liberal international order still governs international relations, an order is emerging to replace it, based on competition among major powers.

Rahman Gahramanpour, in an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, emphasized: The new world order is not necessarily non-Western, because from the non-Western world it is mainly China that is asserting itself, and for this reason, it seems that for now, the increased competition between the United States and China within this new order will be noteworthy.

He continued: We will witness a bipolar order in the world, unlike the one that prevailed during the Cold War. That is, this order is based more on economic, technological, and artificial intelligence competition than on ideology and military might.

Crisis of Legitimacy for International Organizations

This expert, stating that institutions arising from the liberal order, such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, no longer possess their former power, added: “However, one cannot yet speak of the end of the era of these organizations.” Although the United Nations has not played an effective role in moderating the aggressive actions and policies of major powers, it still plays an effective role in addressing certain issues and trends, such as climate change.

Gahramanpour, stating that the United Nations is weakening in the face of competition among major powers, said: Nevertheless, it is unclear whether, in the process of the emergence of a new international order, the United Nations will meet the fate of the League of Nations or a new organization will be formed, as China, as the second pillar of the new order, still emphasizes the continuation of the United Nations’ activities and the principles of the UN Charter.

This expert said: Therefore, the decreasing power and declining role of international organizations will continue until other organizations replace them.

Violation of Peremptory Norms by Powers

He believes that major powers, by attacking other countries without authorization from the Security Council, are laying the groundwork for new rules, and said: Resorting to force against other countries is a flagrant violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter, but we have witnessed that major powers have resorted to it repeatedly in recent years.

Gahramanpour, stating that this is why none of the major powers effectively protest or take action against another major power’s violation of the UN Charter, added: This is precisely why the role of Security Council sessions has been reduced to merely stating positions and issuing statements.

This international affairs expert, in response to how the world is preparing for the rules of the new international order, said: “The process of the new order’s emergence is clear, and countries are gradually preparing themselves.”

He added: For example, ASEAN members have declared their neutrality in the US-China competition and are advancing their own programs. Within this framework, we are witnessing an increase in relations among many countries with China, which will certainly lead to a rise in China’s international influence.

Gahramanpour, emphasizing that various governments are preparing and adapting to the new international order in different ways, said: “Some countries are adapting quickly to the new trend, while others are doing so slowly.” Given that there is no escaping these new conditions, countries have realized the need for effective policy-making in this field before opportunities turn into threats.


This text was translated using artificial intelligence and may contain errors. If you notice a clear error that makes the text incomprehensible, please inform the website editors.

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