Marco Rubio Declares International System Broken, Affirms US Will Act Alone

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that the rules-based international order is failing, signaling that America will continue to act unilaterally when necessary. Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Rubio pointed to a lack of global unity in addressing major crises, including a war between Thailand and Cambodia, Sudan’s civil war, and the conflict with Iran.

“There’s unanimity and consensus here in this gathering, and broadly, that the international system is broken,” Mr Rubio said, adding that the system “broke itself” and has “grown beyond its mandate.” Despite the US playing a primary role in building the post-Second World War framework to encourage cooperation, international bodies have repeatedly struggled to manage wars and refugee crises effectively.

Mr Rubio emphasized that under President Donald Trump, the US will prioritize national interests over global governance. “At least as long as President Donald Trump is in office, we will always act in the national interest of our country, not in the interest of the international order,” he stated. Critics, however, have argued that Washington's independent actions—such as seizing Venezuela's President, blockading Cuba, and launching a war against Iran—undermine the legitimacy of the system.

Addressing regional developments, Mr Rubio discussed recent negotiations following President Trump's announcement of lengthy talks between the US and Iran. While noting that the diplomatic process requires significant effort and mediators, he also condemned Iran for backing Shiite militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen.

Turning to the civil war in Sudan, Mr Rubio expressed frustration over stalled humanitarian ceasefire efforts. The State Department stated on Tuesday that leaders on both sides of the conflict are ineligible to govern and warned that Washington will increase pressure on those fueling the violence.