18 June 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Missing: Global Leadership
(Source: Editorial Page, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS2: International Relations, Global Governance

Context

The article highlights the deepening leadership vacuum in global politics amidst escalating conflicts (Ukraine-Russia, India-Pakistan, Israel-Gaza/Iran) and the failure of major powers and institutions to manage them.

Collapse of Multilateral Order:

• Institutions like the UN, G7, and even Western-led frameworks have failed to prevent aggression or mediate global conflicts effectively.

Rise of Regional Nationalisms:

• Countries are acting unilaterally — Israel striking Iran, Russia’s continued aggression, and India’s guarded posture — without deference to multilateralism.

Moral Erosion in Diplomacy:

• Strategic interests now trump international norms, weakening global governance.

Leadership Deficit:

• No single nation or coalition is leading a moral or strategic consensus to end these conflicts.

Conclusion/Way Forward:

• India and Europe must step up as responsible stakeholders to uphold multilateralism and foster balance. A global leadership architecture rooted in cooperation, not coercion, is the need of the hour.

Practice Question: (GS-2 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) Examine the impact of leadership deficit in global politics on the prospects of a rules-based international order.

Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 18 June 2025

2. Abyss Stares Back

(Source: Editorial Page, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS Paper 2 – International Relations; GS Paper 3 – Internal Security

Context

The editorial reflects on Israel’s escalation against Iran and the muted global response, especially by the US. It warns that the growing normalization of aggressive unilateral action is eroding the already fragile global security order.

Israel-Iran Escalation
• Israel’s recent missile strikes in Iran mark a strategic shift, as it openly claims responsibility.
• The act sets a new precedent in the region, diminishing norms of restraint.

US’s Diminishing Role
• The US, once central to de-escalation in West Asia, is now reactive and reluctant.
• This absence creates a power vacuum, enabling regional players to act unilaterally.

Global Normalization of Aggression
• Conflicts across the world (Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan) are making extreme violence seem routine.
• International laws are being undermined as states prioritize short-term strategic gains.

Moral and Legal Erosion
• The act of deterrence is no longer based on global consensus or legitimacy.
• The editorial compares the current chaos to the lead-up to WWI and Vietnam escalation.

Practice Question: (GS-2 | 10 Marks | 150 Words) A renewed global commitment to international norms is critical. India must balance its strategic interests with its long-standing commitment to peaceful diplomacy.

Read more – 17 June 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis