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The issue with international institutions is that there is a crisis of legitimacy. Trust in these institutions is a serious problem.

International institutions are composed of governments. Governments control their own military forces and police.

The reality is that international institutions like the UN can only be as effective as its members allow it to be.

Let me let you in on a little secret. There is no such thing as an international community. There are self-maximizing, self-interested states that will push their interests as far as possible.

So, the international community are all the countries that are important: the United States definitely everywhere; the European Union because it is very important, and also, they do show a great deal of international responsibility; and then the local players.

International regimes, international treaties, international norms are observed not because of the goodness of anybody but because they bring benefits. If they don't, then the longevity of those agreements come into jeopardy.

Great powers can't get tired, because the international order is not self-governing.

The internal affairs of other countries has a big impact on American interests.

International politics is no longer a zero-sum game but a multi-dimensional arena where cooperation and competition often occur simultaneously. Gone is the age of blood feuds. World leaders are expected to lead in turning threats into opportunities.

Ultimate authority in a global system remains with sovereigns. Governments will not have it any other way: politicians face instant rejection from their electorate if they allow transnational authorities to dictate terms.