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PaperclipPerfector  6d ago (text post)   23186 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of October 12, 2026

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America no longer gives a shit about the rules-based world order

You mean the world order where one country gets to blow up neutral ships as much as they want, and not a single country lifts a finger? Or the one where one country builds hundreds of artificial islands in the ocean and harasses anyone who gets close, and not a single country lifts a finger? Or maybe it's the one where one country gets to turn another into a giant open-air prison, and not a single country lifts a finger?

Or I think the world order you are thinking of is the one where America plays world police, pays for everything, always wins, and always follows the rules, and never abuses its position. One where the rest of the world just gets to enjoy the security. That one is definitely over.

You mean the world order where one country gets to blow up neutral ships as much as they want, and not a single country lifts a finger?

The Houthis? Yes arguably the US doesn't give enough of a shit about the Houthis. This is compounded by the far-more-affected Europe inexplicably giving even less of a shit.

You mean the world order where one country gets to blow up neutral ships as much as they want, and not a single country lifts a finger?

Well, per the laws of the sea, it's the responsibility of the flag nations (and only the flag nations) to respond. So flagless ships have no recourse. Or are you referring to Iran striking shipping?

Or the one where one country builds hundreds of artificial islands in the ocean and harasses anyone who gets close, and not a single country lifts a finger?

Yeah, I really wish there'd be a ton more pushback here, but there's sadly pretty much zero political will. Or public knowledge.

Or maybe it's the one where one country gets to turn another into a giant open-air prison, and not a single country lifts a finger?

Which one is this? I've heard people refer to Gaza that way, but it's a pretty false description.

it's the responsibility of the flag nations (and only the flag nations) to respond.

In any case the flag of convenience nations aren't going to do shit. I guess the whole fact of flags of convenience existing already means the rule based order is over, because it implies the existence of someone protecting your ships unilaterally without any international law obligations to do so.

(By neutral I mean ships not a party to any known conflict, not stateless)

For actual countries with some military power and a decent flagged fleet like maybe china india japan greece, haven't done much to protect their ships anywhere away from their own waters.

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