10 named examples with their significance, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap an example to reveal why it matters.
The examples
EU response to Russia-Ukraine war(tap to reveal)- Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia and provided substantial financial and military support to Ukraine.
ICJ Failures: Iran (1980), Nicaragua (1984), Israel West Bank Wall, UK Chagos Islands(tap to reveal)- Iran refused to accept ICJ jurisdiction when the US brought a case over the 1980 embassy storming. In 1984 the US refused to accept an ICJ judgment against it for mining Nicaraguan harbours. Israel rejected a ruling that its West Bank separation wall was illegal. The UK refused to comply with a ruling that its possession of the Chagos Islands was illegal, despite 116 UN states voting for return to Mauritius.
NATO Enlargement: Finland and Sweden (2022-24)(2024)(tap to reveal)- Finland joined NATO April 2023; Sweden March 2024. Both ended decades of neutrality in response to Ukraine invasion. Shows NATO remains relevant and that security concerns override sovereignty in realist analysis.
NATO/UN Intervention in Yugoslavia: The Humanitarian War (1999)(2025)(tap to reveal)- 78-day NATO bombing campaign in Kosovo (1999) without UNSC authorisation. Russia would have vetoed. Prevented ethnic cleansing of Kosovan Albanians. ER 2025 noted this example was underused: a strong case for liberal humanitarian intervention succeeding. Key counter-example to Syria. Shows liberal IGO model can work but requires bypassing sovereignty norms.
Russia/Chechnya: Sovereignty, Human Rights, and the ECHR (1994-2009)(2025)(tap to reveal)- Two Chechen Wars (1994-96, 1999-2009). European Court of Human Rights ruled against Russia in 200+ cases. Russia ignored most rulings, expelled from Council of Europe 2022. ER 2025 cited Russia/Chechnya and Russia/Assad as counter-arguments to human rights law effectiveness. Shows limits of international human rights enforcement against major powers.
Syria, R2P, and the Failure of Humanitarian Intervention (2011-18)(2013)(tap to reveal)- 500,000+ killed. Russia and China vetoed UNSC resolutions. Chemical weapons used (Ghouta, 2013). R2P not invoked. Strongest counter-example to liberal interventionism. Shows sovereignty norm prevails when P5 disagree.
Trump Trade Tariffs and Deglobalization (2025)(tap to reveal)- Trump administration 2025 imposed punitive tariffs on allies and rivals. Steady erosion of free trade foundations. Represents shift toward economic nationalism and away from globalization.
Trump's Second Term: US Withdrawal from Global Institutions (2025)(2025)(tap to reveal)- Trump withdrew from Paris Agreement, WHO, and threatened NATO commitments. $25bn+ in tariffs on allies. Strongest contemporary evidence for realist argument that states prioritise national interest over global cooperation.
US-China Trade War and Tariff Escalation (2018-25)(2025)(tap to reveal)- Trump imposed 25% tariffs on $250bn Chinese goods (2018). Biden maintained most. Trump 2025: 145% tariffs threatened. China retaliated. Shows limits of WTO dispute mechanisms and economic interdependence as constraint on conflict.
Ukraine War: Hard Power, Sovereignty, and UN Failure (2022-present)(2022)(tap to reveal)- 150,000+ troops. UNSC ceasefire blocked by Russian veto. 141 states condemned invasion in UNGA. $200bn+ Western aid. 6m+ refugees. Illustrates realist argument that military force advances national interests; challenges liberal faith in institutions.