On the face of it, there is nothing in common between China's Nov. 23 declaration of an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) extending to territories it does not control and America's Dec. 12 arrest, strip-search and handcuffing of a New York-based Indian woman diplomat for allegedly underpaying a nanny she had brought with her from India. In truth, these actions epitomize these powers' unilateralist approach.
A just, rules-based international order has long been touted by powerful states as essential for international peace and security. Yet there is a long history of major powers using international law against other states but not complying with it themselves, and even reinterpreting or making new multilateral rules to further their geopolitical and economic interests. The League of Nations failed because it could not punish or deter some powers from flouting international law.
Today, the United States and China serve as prime examples of a unilateralist approach to international relations, even as they aver support for strengthening international rules and institutions.