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Analysis of the Middle East Conflict: "Powerful States No Longer Accountable Under International Law"

Published March 11, 2026, 14:15
Analysis of the Middle East Conflict: "Powerful States No Longer Accountable Under International Law"

The war in the Middle East raises significant questions about the functioning and application of international law, according to law professor Antonis Stylianou. Developments indicate a shift from multilateralism to unilateralism, with powerful states acting without being accountable under international law. International law is in a difficult period, as geopolitical and institutional shifts are observed in the interpretation and application of international rules. The use of force is prohibited, except for authorization by the UN Security Council or the exercise of the right to self-defense in the event of an immediate threat. In the case of Iran, authorization from the SC is unlikely due to the veto power of Russia and China. Preemptive use of force is only allowed if the threat is immediate, absolutely necessary, and the response is proportionate. So far, the US has not officially presented the immediate threat from Iran that justifies military action.