International system not built for de facto governments

The post-Second World War international order rests on a simple premise: governments govern, states exercise sovereignty over their territory and diplomacy is conducted between internationally recognized authorities. That assumption is becoming increasingly detached from reality. Across the world, modern conflicts are producing de facto authorities that exercise many of the functions of government without international recognition. They administer territory, collect taxes, police communities, operate courts, deliver public services and negotiate with neighboring actors.