By Dr Md Momtazur Rahman, 

Human society emerged from a shared desire for peace, prosperity, and ethical coexistence. People organized themselves into communities to ensure justice, security, and moral order. Yet the condition of that society today raises disturbing questions. Broken promises, persistent injustice, and the erosion of ethical norms have left social, state, and international systems deeply compromised. As societies expanded into nation-states and eventually into a global order, unresolved conflicts over justice and injustice, production and distribution, oppression and exploitation, religious and racial extremism, and the concentration of power repeatedly led to wars and devastation. The First and Second World Wars were not historical accidents; they were the inevitable outcomes of moral and political failure.

Despite the catastrophic lessons of history, today’s global powers appear trapped in a renewed crisis of trust. Instead of strengthening cooperation and ethical governance, they have normalized militarization and arms competition. Nuclear weapons, capable of annihilating humanity many times over, are treated as symbols of strength and security. In this context, former US President Donald Trump’s boast that the United States possesses enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world several times is not merely rhetorical excess; it is a chilling reflection of a global moral collapse and a worldview in which domination replaces responsibility.

Trump has once again become the focus of international outrage following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—an act that drew condemnation from governments, civil society, and legal experts worldwide. Even within the United States, the incident sparked anger and protest. The notable exception has been Israel, whose close political and military alignment with Trump is widely evident, particularly in the context of Gaza and broader Middle Eastern aggression. This selective silence underscores how alliances built on power rather than principle erode the foundations of international morality.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier articulated global anxiety with unusual clarity when he warned that the Trump administration is actively dismantling the world order. Speaking in Berlin, he cautioned that the international system must not be turned into a “den of robbers” where the powerful act without restraint and ethical norms are discarded. Steinmeier further observed that global democracy is currently under unprecedented attack, not only from authoritarian regimes but also from within states that once claimed to defend democratic values.

Referring to the US move against Maduro, Steinmeier described recent American actions as a “historic rupture” in the international system. He compared their significance to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, suggesting that both represent turning points that threaten global stability. His words carry weight, not because Germany wields unilateral power, but because its head of state speaks with moral authority and relative independence from day-to-day political calculations.

Public opinion in Germany reflects this growing distrust. A recent survey by public broadcaster ARD revealed that 76 percent of Germans no longer consider the United States a reliable partner. Such a dramatic shift would have been unthinkable only a decade ago. Trump’s open disdain for international law has accelerated this erosion of trust. By declaring that global norms are unnecessary and that his “own morality” is sufficient to guide US actions, Trump has effectively legitimized unilateralism and lawlessness at the highest level of power.

The consequences of this posture extend far beyond diplomatic relations. When the world’s most powerful state disregards international law, it weakens global institutions, emboldens authoritarian leaders, and normalizes aggression as a tool of policy. Smaller states, already vulnerable, are left exposed, while international cooperation gives way to fear and strategic opportunism.

In this grim context, responsibility now rests heavily on the institutions of the United States, particularly the Senate, to restrain further military adventurism. Efforts to pass resolutions limiting Trump’s ability to initiate new military actions have begun, and the world watches closely. Yet institutional checks alone may not be enough. The ultimate responsibility lies with the American people, whose democratic mandate grants them the power—and the moral obligation—to challenge unlawful and unethical governance.

History has repeatedly shown that unchecked power leads to catastrophe. If global order is to survive, it must be defended not by brute force, but by law, accountability, and ethical restraint. The world today looks to the United States—not for domination, but for responsibility. Whether it can still rise to that role remains an open and urgent question.

The writer is a professor of English and Registrar at IUBAT (International University of Business Agriculture and Technology), Dhaka. He can be reached at momtazur@iubat.edu