The end of short article defending international society (8)
I believe the answer is:
curtains
'the end' is the definition.
(I have seen 'the end' mean 'curtains' so perhaps 'end' could also mean 'curtains')
'short article defending international society' is the wordplay.
'short' becomes 'curt' (synonyms).
'article' becomes 'an' (indefinite article).
'defending' is an insertion indicator.
'international' becomes 'i' (abbreviation eg in IMF).
'society' becomes 's' (common abbreviation in names of organisations).
'an' going around 'i' is 'ain'.
'curt'+'ain'+'s'='CURTAINS'
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for curtains that I've seen before include "Hanging drapes" , "for Windows" , "Hanging cloths" , "Draperies" , "Window hangings" .)