Any nations ability to operate independently is a function of their conflict with other nations in the same sphere of influence.
International law is largely a joke of a construct since the only way to hold a nation accountable if they violate some "law" is via sanctions or military action. Even then, a nation doesn't have to bother itself with seeking approval for its actions against another if none of the others cares enough to make a stink about it.
Right now the US is straight-up executing people in foreign lands via drones. They sent a team of foreign soldiers to Pakistan and conducted a raid deep within their territory. What did Pakistan do? What did the international community do?
In fairness, it's hard to weep over this particular violation of sovereignty. The US gave Pakistan ten years to round up bin Laden using their own internal police and military systems, and it became abundantly clear over that time that Pakistan had no interest in doing so.
If you're going to shelter the world's most wanted criminal within your borders, and refuse any chance of bringing him to justice, you probably shouldn't be too surprised if justice ends up coming to him instead.
Hey, I'm not complaining. I think it needed to be done.
But my point still stands: if the sea-steaders thought they could escape into some "international law" zone, then they were sadly mistaken. It's more like a "we dont really care...until we do" zone.
IIRC Greenpeace found this out when commandos (French) boarded their ship.
Any nations ability to operate independently is a function of their conflict with other nations in the same sphere of influence.
International law is largely a joke of a construct since the only way to hold a nation accountable if they violate some "law" is via sanctions or military action. Even then, a nation doesn't have to bother itself with seeking approval for its actions against another if none of the others cares enough to make a stink about it.
Right now the US is straight-up executing people in foreign lands via drones. They sent a team of foreign soldiers to Pakistan and conducted a raid deep within their territory. What did Pakistan do? What did the international community do?
Nothing.