this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2025
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Nothing.
Good to know that international law doesn’t apply to the US
International Law, like all laws, only exist as far as the legal body is willing and able to enforce it. If I declare myself emperor of all mankind, and claim that you owe me tribute, do you think that decree should apply to you? If I showed up to your house with a bunch of dudes with guns and forced you to pay tribute to me under the extreme threat of violence would your answer change?
International law only applies to those on whom it can be enforced by someone stronger. Great powers are functionally above international law unless they voluntarily choose (like China) to abide by it. For great powers the purpose of international law is to regulate the actions of smaller states on the one hand, and on the other hand to legitimize the actions of great powers and minimize discontent and resistance.
It should be noted that international law, like all laws, are also only followed when convenient by those that could choose to stop following it, China is no exception.
Yes, the UNSC is a legitimation tool more than an enforcing body.