In the new world disorder, international law is bordering on the irrelevant

Last month’s recognition of Somaliland by Israel generated strong protest from Somalia, which claims sovereignty over the territory that broke away about three decades ago. But Somalia refuses to accept Israel’s 80-year sovereign existence while Israel condemns the recognition of a Palestinian state by 157 countries.

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine battle over Donbas, Cambodia and Thailand dispute their borders, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo skirmish in Kivu, India and Pakistan spar over Kashmir, and China flexes its military muscle over Taiwan.

Common here is competition for territory by nations claiming history on their side. Or they assert that the unfair hand that history dealt them justifies wars of correction. As after the Great Powers imposed post-war boundaries on small European nations or departing colonialists delineated independent nations across the Global South. Not forgetting the Soviet Union’s initial territorial acquisitions and subsequent break-up.

But how far should they look back to justify dying to defend or grab land? Strong affinity to ancestral territories associated with cultural traditions and myths is the foundation of many national identities. They get embellished with repeated reiterations down generations to attain the sacred status evident in national anthems and symbols.