Main content

The post-World War II era is over. What comes next?

Did the rules-based order ever exist and what could replace it if it goes away?

For most of the years since World War Two, many global powers said they adhered to a rules-based international order. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House that idea is falling away. But did it ever exist in reality? And what’s the alternative now?

The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµâ€™s International Editor Jeremy Bowen wraps up our week of special coverage.

Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Xandra Ellin
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins

(Photo: Presidents Putin, Trump and Xi as Russian dolls. Credit: Yuri Kochetkov. EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Available now

28 minutes

Featured

  • .

Broadcasts

  • Fri 16 Jan 2026 11:32GMT
  • Sat 17 Jan 2026 01:32GMT
  • Sat 17 Jan 2026 04:32GMT

Podcast