By Collins Chong Yew Keat

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Victory Day for World War II was commemorated on May 8, marking eight decades since its end. The world witnessed the defeat of Nazism and fascism, and the creation of the long peace, driven by the West and the United States, which ensured global stability.

The carnage and suffering of both World Wars reaffirm the necessity to appreciate and safeguard the rules-based order established since then. This order has been upheld by the United States through its leadership in the rule of law and peace dividends, serving as the principal custodian of the long peace and a critical force behind the triumph of democracy and freedom.

As Trump rightly stated, without American involvement through its tanks, ships, and military presence, the victories in both wars would not have been possible. The world today would be entirely different—lacking peace and order.

The US played a decisive role at key moments, especially during the D-Day landings and the defeat of Hitler, sacrificing 400,000 service members and military assets. Yet, one nation alone could not have defeated Nazism or secured peace.

The Soviet Union suffered 27 million deaths—8.7 million military and 19 million civilian. Britain lost 384,000 soldiers and 70,000 civilians. The victory was a collective effort, but the post-war order was distinctly shaped by the US and its democratic allies.

The Long Peace Must Be Protected

The US-led order has been the greatest force for peace and human advancement in modern history. It helped prevent a third world war, turned enemies into allies, lifted over a billion people from extreme poverty, and brought an end to colonial empires.

In the wake of WWII, the US and its allies built a new system based on rules, institutions, and cooperation. This Western-led order—anchored in collective security, open markets, and liberal values—created a historic period of peace and prosperity.

The strength of this order rests on US-led institutions and deterrence. For nearly eight decades, no great-power war has erupted, a stark contrast to the frequent global wars before 1945. Yet this long peace has been underappreciated. Today, it is threatened by those seeking to dismantle it.

Revisionist authoritarian powers aim to weaken the alliances and norms that have kept aggression in check. Understanding how the US-anchored order has preserved peace requires recognizing how it could be undermined—particularly as some are seduced by the idea of the “rise of the rest” and the supposed decline of the West.

But this perception is flawed. In all key power indicators—economic, military, technological, demographic, and future trends—the United States still maintains a commanding lead. No power will rival or replace it in the foreseeable future.

Still, this rules-based order is fragile. If ignored or if US leadership is diminished, the peace it sustains will be threatened. Despite its flaws, the Western-led order remains the world’s best defense against global war and tyranny.

It has defeated fascism, communism, and terrorism; protected global trade and maritime security; promoted economic growth; saved lives through medicine and innovation; and upheld humanitarian values and human rights. It remains the most important force for global security and peace in our time.

The Long Peace Dividend: Deterrence, Democracy, and Rule of Law

Among the greatest achievements of the long peace is the prevention of another catastrophic great-power war. Before 1945, major conflicts—from the Napoleonic Wars to WWI and WWII—were frequent and devastating. WWII alone killed an estimated 70–85 million people—about 3% of the global population.

In response, the US and its allies created a new world order built on democracy and institutional governance. Through the United Nations, NATO, and Bretton Woods institutions, this order worked to prevent war and limit conflict damage.

US military strength and nuclear deterrence have dissuaded global conflict. A dominant democratic superpower has acted as stabilizer, in line with hegemonic stability theory.

Conflict deaths have dropped dramatically since the mid-20th century. By the 21st century, war deaths had fallen to historic lows—fewer than 1 in 700 globally per year. The Cold War ended without direct superpower war. The post-1945 period is now the longest stretch of great-power peace in centuries. US-led alliances and democratic norms created a balance that made large-scale war infeasible—saving hundreds of millions of lives.

Equally important is the global spread of democracy and rule of law. Democracies rarely fight each other, as shown by democratic peace theory. Countries linked through democratic values and institutions like NATO and the EU have virtually eliminated interstate conflict among themselves.

Western Europe—once the epicenter of global war—has now enjoyed 77 years of peace between major states. This transformation, where sovereign nations respect each other's rights and rules, is at risk if US-led deterrence is undermined.

The Western liberal order won the 20th century. It made democracy and free markets the global norm. Millions in Eastern Europe were freed from dictatorship. The Cold War ended with a wave of democracy and liberal economic growth that has fueled today’s prosperity.

From fascism to communism to terrorism, the Western-led order has protected billions—those saved from tyranny and those never caught in wars that were avoided. As John F. Kennedy once said, “A mankind that has managed to avoid war is one that will find prosperity and progress.” The Western order proved this true.

America as Global Policeman: Securing the Seas and Skies

American military superiority forms the backbone of global security. The US Navy has ensured freedom of navigation and protected maritime trade for decades. With over 90 percent of world trade moving by sea, the US Navy’s dominance has been indispensable.

Under Pax Americana, sea lanes have remained open. US and allied forces patrol chokepoints like the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Strait of Malacca, preventing blockades and piracy. The Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific are constant stabilizing forces.

This US-led maritime order is a global public good. It allows other nations to avoid massive naval spending, reducing arms races. The stability of sea routes has enabled a vast expansion of global trade. Exports as a share of global GDP quadrupled from 5 percent in 1945 to over 20 percent by the 2000s.

China’s economic rise benefited enormously from this order. Its export-based growth depends on the stability of maritime routes secured by US naval presence.

Beyond the seas, the US leads in protecting airspace and space. The US Air Force deters rogue actors from threatening global aviation. American GPS satellites provide navigation worldwide—free of charge but funded by US taxpayers.

Prosperity Through Stability: Global Development

The Western-led order enabled a global surge in prosperity. In 1950, much of Europe and Asia lay in ruins. Most of the world’s population lived in poverty. Today, the world economy exceeds $100 trillion. Global GDP per capita has tripled. Life expectancy has risen from 45 to over 72 years.

These gains were not automatic—they were made possible by the open markets, financial assistance, and security created by the West.

The Marshall Plan rebuilt Europe. The World Bank financed infrastructure in developing countries. The US security umbrella let nations prioritize development over defense. Japan demilitarized and focused on growth. China and India rose rapidly after integrating into the US-led order.

China lifted 800 million people from poverty—enabled by access to Western markets and adherence to global trade rules. In 1990, 1.9 billion people (36 percent of the world) lived in extreme poverty. By 2019, that dropped to 650 million, or about 8 percent. Over 1 billion people were lifted from poverty in one generation, thanks to the stable global system.

This order also acts during crisis. In genocide, famine, or disaster, the US and its allies lead in response. From the “responsibility to protect” to humanitarian missions, the system has upheld human dignity.

The New Threat: Erosion and Revisionism

This order now faces grave threats. Anti-US sentiment and the rise of revisionist powers aim to unravel the system. China defies maritime law. Others undermine global institutions. If the US weakens, these forces will seek to create a new order—one that is less free, less stable, and more dangerous.

None of these powers have experience leading a peaceful global order. Replacing law with brute force risks returning the world to an anarchic era of might over right.

The revisionist momentum erodes the institutional deterrence built over 75 years. It may trigger arms races, security dilemmas, and a return to great-power conflict. History has shown what happens when orders collapse—from the Concert of Europe before WWI to the League of Nations before WWII.

Defending the Greatest Peace System

Defending this order does not mean rejecting reform. It means preserving core values: opposition to aggression, respect for law, protection of human rights, and support for democracy.

These ideals are the backbone of peace. Abandoning them risks plunging the world into a new era of instability.

For all its imperfections, the Western-led system remains the best bet for peace, security, and progress. Complacency is the greatest danger. The dividends of US leadership—stability, prosperity, safety—must not be taken for granted.

The cost of sustaining this order is real. But the cost of losing it would be far greater. Letting this order erode is to risk the world’s future—for peace, freedom, and the legacy of those who fought for them.

*Collins Chong Yew Keat is a foreign affairs and strategy analyst and author in University of Malaya.*