‘A sentimental policy knows no reciprocity’. A nation-state seeks the criteria for its actions fundamentally in its interests. Bismarck set an axiomatic international security mores by propounding that the only healthy pre-requisite for the policy of a great power is egotism and not romanticism.
The West and Russia are in the middle of an intense diplomatic crisis sparked by a recent nerve agent attack in the United Kingdom. A tit-for-tat response has resulted in the expelling of diplomatic staff from both sides regardless of strategic costs which this conflict can engender, putting the international order under serious threat. The UK’s coordinated efforts against Kremlin actions which have brought together at least eighteen European Union (EU) states, the United States and Canada-has sent a symbolic message to Russia that the West still stands united against its coercive efforts.
Traditional Diplomacy accompanied nearly a century of peace in Europe through a world order which rested on the concept of balance of power. The threats of world-disorder, however now loom large which may usher an era of saber-rattling, amid ceding diplomatic tradition from slapstick to drollery. The recent chronological events unraveling schism between the West and Russia point towards an international order which is moving to an unchartered territory.
The scholars and political pundits would cater to it as a regurgitation of the Cold War tropes. However, it is pertinent to realize that ever since the post-cold war period, the relations between the west and Russia are no longer shaped by ideology. The Relations are now shaped by competitive geo-strategic issues, political concerns, and economic interests. The attack wasn’t part of Kremlin’s intention to initiate an international incident but to send a message that Kremlin still retained the ability to carry out Cold War-style military and intelligence operations which means the era of a weak Russia is over. While Russia action was a clear violation of Geneva Protocol and chemical weapons convention, which is tantamount to the declaration of war, Putin made it clear to the world that he was willing to protect his country’s interests at all costs.
Putin’s alleged involvement in the recent US presidential elections is another example of the former’s growing outreach. Moreover, there are some claims that the Brexit event was also manipulated by Russia. Russia has conveniently braved Washington’s economic sanction due to the former’s intervention and annexation project of the Crimean region.
However, London’ measured and contained response to Russia’s violations of International law in the form of expulsion of known intelligence officers, ascertains that the former still prefers the defined rules of international engagement and diplomacy. London’s refusal to provide Russian diplomats a consular access to the victims of the “Salisbury attacks” is an open violation of international rules. Russian Foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, in a presser said that “The UK thus openly, without any hesitation, violates international legal norms, in particular, the 1968 bilateral Consular Convention. This document’s Article 36 contains a provision that a consular officer has the right, within his consular district, to meet with any citizen of the country he represents, offer him advice, provide all kind of assistance, including the need to take measures to provide legal assistance to him.”
Russia’s recent interference in other states’ internal affairs indicate that the established world order is under threat due to the former’s introduction of a parallel concept of ‘legitimacy’, which is being projected with the rise of China in the East
The expulsion of Russian staff from the UN mission in New York adds fire to the fury as it’s a direct violation of international norms and principles which are in place for the proper functioning of UN. In accordance to the 1947 agreement, the government of the United States ‘shall not impose any impediments to transit to and from the headquarters district” for the delegates of UN member states and officials of UN as well as their families and this provision “shall be applicable irrespective of the relations existing between” the governments of these UN representatives and Washington.
The recent effort of Russia in other states internal affairs indicate that the established world order is under threat due to the former’s introduction of a parallel concept of ‘legitimacy’ which is being projected with the rise of China in the East. In 1917, while addressing the Congress, Wilson said that ‘independent nations do not fill their neighbor states with spies.’ The free world, however, itself has been squabbling international rules of engagement, orchestrating a perfect recipe for the concomitant self-destruction of the global order. The existing so-called romantic values of the free world are likely to succumb to the realist principle of egotism unless asinine leaders of the West uphold the very principles they authored.
The writer is philosophically a neo-liberal and Aristotelian; Optimistic by choice and has a pragmatic approach towards life. He holds BSc honors degree in Economics &Political science from Lahore School of Economics. He is a freelance writer and political thinker of contending ambitions. “Resting in Reason and moving in passion” has been his life course. He can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, April 9th 2018.