Once viewed as a safeguard against global injustice, international law has become increasingly politicised and dysfunctional in recent years. As Linda Kinstler writes in a fascinating essay for the cover story of this week’s Guardian Weekly magazine, the norms, institutions and good faith essential to the system functioning effectively have been badly eroded, and it’s hard to see how the problems can be reversed.
Institutions like the UN security council and international criminal court (ICC) are now often simply ignored or manipulated by powerful member states. The ICC in particular has struggled with legitimacy and enforcement, delivering only a few convictions, amid resistance from big powers such as the US and Russia. The unilateralism of Trump has further undermined the system, while China’s growing influence is shifting the international focus away from human rights.
Critics argue that rather than justice, international law is now often used to provide legal cover for aggression, as seen in conflicts like Lebanon and Gaza. So, can anything be done?
Some experts remain hopeful, seeing the climate crisis as a potential catalyst for renewal. Ultimately though, perhaps the future prospects for international law are most tellingly – and ominously – reflected in the fragile state of global politics itself.
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Five essential reads in this week’s edition
Spotlight | How the rise of Zohran Mamdani is dividing Democrats
Many believe the New York mayoral hopeful signals time for the national party to evolve but others say his brand of politics will not appeal in key battlegrounds. Lauren Gambino and Alaina Demopoulos report
Environment | Tipping points, doomerism and catastrophic risks
Climate expert Genevieve Guenther talks to Jonathan Watts on the importance of correcting the false narrative that climate threat is under control – and why it is appropriate to be scared
Feature | The politics of breasts
Breasts have always been political – and now they’re front and centre again. Is it yet another way in which Trump’s worldview is reshaping the culture? By Jess Cartner-Morley
Opinion | The global order is being dismantled by an ageing generation
Just when the world desperately needs wise elders, its fate is in the hands of old and ruthless patriarchs, argues David Van Reybrouck
Culture | The Herds: The animal marathon stampeding to the Arctic
Why is a huge pack of puppet animals, from tiny monkeys to towering elephants, making a 20,000km cross-planet odyssey? Kate Wyver spent a week as an antelope to find out
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What else we’ve been reading
• It’s Wimbledon tennis fortnight but this beacon of British sporting tradition has taken a revolutionary turn, ditching its famous line judges for an AI-based system of robotic cameras. With a guarded reception from both players and fans, this interesting opinion piece begs the question: is human-free perfection really a desirable thing to pursue in all areas of life? Graham Snowdon, editor
• The Tour de France sets off for its 112th edition on 5 July, with the riders putting themselves to the test physically and mentally as they cover more than 3,300km en route to the final stage’s dash around Paris. The perfect way to build up to the Grand Départ is William Fotheringham’s wheel through the history and drama of 50 years of finishes on Champs-Élysées. Clare Horton, assistant editor
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Other highlights from the Guardian website
• Audio | Who will win Euro 2025? Our panel make their predictions – Women’s Football Weekly
• Video | Bougainvilleans went to war to shut down the Panguna mine. Why do some want it reopened?
• Gallery | Stephen Shames’s photographs of the Black Panthers
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