Could Shifting Borders Be a Good Thing?

Let’s leave aside the Trump administration’s apparent effort to wrest control of Greenland. Yemen’s aborted southern secession, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, and Ahmed al-Sharaa’s use of force to prevent Syria’s fracture all raise an important question for U.S. policymakers. Should the borders that we have come to know in the post-World War II/post-Cold War worlds be considered sacrosanct? Judging by the response to each of these episodes from the international community, the answer is yes. But with the “ rupture ” in the global order, it is worth considering whether this should always be the case.

It has been a busy six weeks in international relations. Since early December, there has been a case of attempted secession , the recognition of a previously unrecognized breakaway territory of a state, military action to prevent the potential fragmentation of another state, and the threat by one country to shear off the self-governing territory of another country through intimidation .

It has been a busy six weeks in international relations. Since early December, there has been a case of attempted secession, the recognition of a previously unrecognized breakaway territory of a state, military action to prevent the potential fragmentation of another state, and the threat by one country to shear off the self-governing territory of another country through intimidation.

Let’s leave aside the Trump administration’s apparent effo