President Trump’s unilateral attempt to end the war in Ukraine raised concerns among Western allies. Both his statements and actions have sparked widespread debates about diplomacy and power in the 21st century, and whether they signify an end to the rules-based international order established in the aftermath of World War II. Joining me online to unpack the concept of “international order”, what it involves, how it emerged, whether actions taken by President Trump have indeed unravelled it, or whether it has always been more fragile than its defenders admit, are my colleagues Prof. John Williams, a Professor of International Relations, and Dr. Dennis Schmidt, an Assistant Professor of International Relations here at Durham University's School of Government and International Affairs.

To learn more about our guests, please visit their websites:

Prof. John Williams: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/j-c-williams/

Dr. Dennis R. Schmidt: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/dennis-schmidt/

Related literature:

- Schmidt, Dennis R. 2023. International Law and World Order: Theoretical Perspectives. In: Oxford Research Encyclopedias. Online: https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.696 [Last accessed: 13th March 2025].

Music: The Good News by SHANTI from https://tunetank.com/track/263-the-good-news/