The article discusses the shifting dynamics of the US-led international order, highlighting the challenges Japan and Western Europe face amid evolving global power structures. It particularly focuses on the response of the Global South, which sees these changes as opportunities to assert their influence. The text features insights from Walden Bello, a prominent critic of globalization and former member of the Philippine House of Representatives, who reflects on US military interventions and their implications for international law and order.

Bello expresses that the US's actions in Venezuela, reminiscent of previous military interventions, signal a disregard for international law, mirroring historical events like the Vietnam War and attacks on Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He emphasizes that the Global South is positioned to challenge these unilateral actions, as they now constitute a significant majority within the UN. This context provides them a platform to voice opposition against overt aggression and advocate for a new order that better reflects their interests.

Additionally, the article notes that while the US continues to assert its influence in regions it considers its sphere of influence, such as Latin America, this presents a significant challenge to local governments. However, for the Global South, this transitional period in international relations is viewed as a reflective moment where they must capitalize on the unraveling of established norms and push for a more equitable global framework. Ultimately, Bello's perspectives underline a crucial turning point in global politics where the responses of Japan and the West are contrasted with the growing agency of emerging economies.