Political analyst: Power is the decisive factor in the system of international relations

President Ilham Aliyev’s recent interview with local television channels was remembered for important messages regarding the real nature of the international relations system. The head of state’s remarks about the fact that international law is practically not functioning in world politics accurately reflect existing global realities, political analyst and Head of Department at the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism, Matin Mammadli, told The Daily Baku.

According to him, the key point emphasized by the President is that, contrary to what idealist and liberal approaches claim, international organizations and legal norms do not play a decisive role in the system of international relations.

“Especially the experience of the past 20–30 years shows that the main actors in international relations are states, and everything is built upon their interests. In particular, great powers often use international law as a political instrument to secure their interests,” Matin Mammadli noted.

In the analyst’s opinion, this reality clearly demonstrates that the principle at work is not ‘the power of the rightful,’ but rather ‘the right of the powerful.’ In such circumstances, the most rational path for every state is to strengthen its national power. “President Ilham Aliyev also specifically emphasized this in his speech: in the current international system, the main factor ensuring the security and interests of states is their own strength,” he said.

Matin Mammadli noted that Azerbaijan has been consistently implementing this approach for years, and the clearest example of this is the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity. “For nearly 30 years, Azerbaijan experienced firsthand that international law was not functioning. While our territories were under occupation, the four resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council were not implemented. This was clear proof that the norms of international law remained only on paper,” the analyst stressed.

According to him, Azerbaijan ended this injustice relying precisely on its own strength, correct military-strategic planning, and a balanced foreign policy. “Today, the example of Azerbaijan shows that in the real system of international relations, law works only when it is supported by power. The ideas voiced by President Ilham Aliyev represent both an accurate analysis of global realities and the political philosophy of the path Azerbaijan has taken,” Matin Mammadli said.