Does the international rule of law still exist?

IN the first two months of 2026, the US executed two military operations that, to my mind, begs the question: Does international law still mean anything?

On Jan 3, US forces stormed the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro, flying him blindfolded to New York City where he was brought up on drug-trafficking charges. On Feb 28, the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and – according to the BBC – at least 168 people, including schoolchildren and staff in a primary school.