International System Changes and the Israel-Gaza War

Abstract

The September 11 attacks triggered the decline of American hegemony and the debates in the international system following the 2008 global economic crisis. The decline of American power and the shift in the balance of power by alternative actors have called the existing world system into question. In this context, powerful actors have the advantage of determining the basic criteria of bilateral and multilateral relations in line with their own interests. Systemic structures can fracture upon a shift in the balance of power. Powerful states constantly seek to remain the strongest in order to guarantee security and develop policies to prevent other countries from seeking power. In the last two centuries, major wars have caused shifts in the balance of power, supporting the argument that the current international system could be in the throes of a major war. In particular, a potential war between the United States and China or tensions between Europe and Russia raise the specter of a third world war. The concept of power is analyzed in the literature through two main distinctions: hard power and soft power. In recent years, rapid developments in weapons and information technologies have led to the diversification of power. The definitions of smart power and sharp power have also begun to appear in the literature. While hard power involves tangible elements such as military capacity, soft power is about a state's charm and normative superiority. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union had a clear advantage in terms of hard power. However, over time, this gap has started to close and China, in particular, has reached a level where it can compete with the US in the military and economic spheres. In terms of soft power, the West continues to dominate. Concepts such as liberal democracy, human rights and the rule of law reinforce the normative power of the West. However, the recent conflicts, especially the Israel-Gaza War, call into question the normative power of the West. After the October 7, 2023 attacks, Israel's practices question the validity of Western rhetoric on human rights and international law. The article emphasizes how international systems are constructed and the importance of systemic analyses of power. Israel's policies in Gaza have the potential to end the normative supremacy of the West. In this context, the functioning of international institutions such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is also discussed. Although the UN is a source of international legitimacy, Israel's disregard of its resolutions and the West's indifference to this situation lead to a decline in normative power. Israel's attacks against the UN Peacekeeping Force and its attitude towards the International Criminal Court undermine the normative supremacy of the West. America and Europe's refraining from imposing sanctions against Israel's actions reveals the hypocrisy on international law and human rights. This is a development that threatens the future of the Western-centered international system. In conclusion, the decline in America's military and economic power after 9/11, the 2008 economic crisis and the competition with China have led the international system to evolve into a multipolar structure. The Israel-Gaza War stands out as a breaking point that calls into question the normative superiority of the West. This war will constitute a critical threshold in the search for a new system in international relations.