The decision by United States President Donald Trump to launch a war on Iran has left many international law experts questioning if the world order established after World War II is actually working.In his second presidential term, Trump seems to be wielding total power without restraint, and the system of checks and balances enshrined in the US Constitution appears to be failing to limit his power.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listSince Trump was sworn in in January 2025, he has ordered two unprovoked attacks on independent states, Venezuela and Iran; threatened to annex Greenland; strained traditional alliances with Europe; undermined the United Nations; and rattled international trade with his sweeping tariffs.Previous constraints set by the UN system and international law appear supplanted by what Trump told reporters in January was a vision of power limited only by his “own morality”. President Donald Trump holds the key to unlock the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, which he said is staying at the White House, requiring a replica to be presented to the tournament’s winners, Chelsea, in July 2025 [File: Pool via AP]So what checks are there on Trump? Is he really free to attack states, set tariffs at will and, as leader of the world’s most powerful state, essentially dictate global policy? And if so, why are so many observers now saying his war on Iran is faltering?Has international law put any checks on Trump?Not so far.According to analysts, both his attacks on Venezuela and Iran were in clear breach of international law and the …
