There is a particular kind of intellectual dishonesty that masquerades as principle and the American left has perfected it. It goes by either “international law” or “norms.” These phrases are invoked with religious fervor whenever the U.S. or one of its allies takes action in the world. They are conveniently forgotten whenever the enemies of civilization act.

Watch the pattern long enough and the conclusion becomes unavoidable. The left’s commitment to international law is not a commitment at all. It is a weapon — one aimed squarely at the U.S.

Consider what is happening now. Our military engagement against Iran has the usual coalition of academics, think-tankers, progressive politicians, antisemites and op-ed writers reaching for their pearls. “International law,” they scream. “The norms-based international order,” they wail. Many of them are calling the U.S. a “rogue nation” or a “state sponsor of terrorism” because the president decided it was time to end Iran’s regime of terror and quest for nuclear weapons.

Where were these voices on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023?

Hamas — a terrorist organization whose founding charter is a declaration of genocidal intent — launched the deadliest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust. They crossed a recognized international border. They slaughtered over 1,200 civilians. They kidnapped babies, elderly women and young men at a music festival. They filmed it. They celebrated it.

The international law crowd did not rush out that morning to denounce Hamas.

There were no emergency seminars on the laws of armed conflict.

There were no demands for immediate condemnation from the UN Security Council.