The international system was built on the implicit assumption of normalcy for many years. Stable times were thought to be the default state of world affairs, interspersed with sporadic crises that upset the status quo but were eventually resolved, such as wars, economic downturns, and pandemics. Institutions, models of governance, and diplomatic expectations were all influenced by this worldview. That presumption is no longer valid today. Illustration by The Geostrata Instead

What grants the US unparalleled power over shaping the global narratives? What allows the US to punish its adversaries and allies alike?...