Global leaders are embracing a trend of disregarding international law, sparking concern from human rights groups like Human Rights Watch. The shift has accelerated the erosion of norms, with leaders openly violating humanitarian law and showing little respect for civilians and international law. This phenomenon poses significant global implications.

Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome Philippe Bolopion. Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. He describes a profound and accelerating shift in the conduct of war, marked not merely by violations of international humanitarian law, but by an unprecedented openness in asserting, even embracing, such violations. What distinguishes this moment is not the erosion of norms alone, but the rhetorical normalisation of their abandoning any respect for civilians and international law.