U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio crashed the annual Munich Security Conference on Valentine’s Day, delivering a speech not much different in content from Vice President J.D. Vance’s last year, but significantly distinct in tone. Rubio, once again, demonstrated the skills required to oversee a foreign policy at odds with its major allies. He invited Europe to join America in its efforts to protect Western Civilization, adhere to historical bonds, and face external challenges together. Beginning with a history lesson, Rubio reminded the leaders gathered that interpreting the end of the Cold War as the end of nationhood was foolish:
“But the euphoria of this triumph led us to a dangerous delusion: that we had entered, quote, ‘the end of history;’ that every nation would now be a liberal democracy; that the ties formed by trade and by commerce alone would now replace nationhood; that the rules-based global order–an overused term–would now replace the national interest; and that we would now live in a world without borders where everyone became a citizen of the world.”
Rubio’s words never rang truer than when the Olympics concluded, and Canada’s men’s and women’s teams lost in gold medal games to their U.S. counterparts. Who would ever suggest that borders don’t matter after seeing the pride the players all invested in the sweaters they wore? Speaking to the outsourcing of products to nations intent on our harm, he also addressed the pursuit of a borderless world where an “unprecedented wave of mass migration” threatened our social cohesion, “continuity of culture”, and “future of our people.” But the former Florida senator did not leave the argument unfinished. He appealed to the common heritage between Europe and America, saying that the U.S. and Europe belong together. President Donald Trump’s leading spokesman referred to Europe’s problems as a friend, not an accuser. He hailed the long history that includes the establishment of Christianity in America, and a shared language, history, culture, and ancestry. His strongest argument may have occurred when he tackled national security, focusing on a central question: What are we defending? Rubio answered:
“The fundamental question we must answer at the outset is what exactly are we defending, because armies do not fight for abstractions. Armies fight for a people; armies fight for a nation. Armies fight for a way of life. And that is what we are defending: a great civilization that has every reason to be proud of its history, confident of its future, and aims to always be the master of its own economic and political destiny.”
Rubio then applied tough love to Europe’s condition. Reminding the Europeans of their incredible history and contributions, “It was here in Europe where the ideas that planted the seeds of liberty that changed the world were born. It was here in Europe where the world–which gave the world the rule of law, the universities, and the scientific revolution.” He then listed a register of the great minds the continent has produced: Mozart and Beethoven, Dante and Shakespeare, Michelangelo and Da Vinci, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. He referred to the objects of art: the vaunted ceilings of the Sistine Chapel, the towering spires of the great cathedral in Cologne, and encouraged the Europeans to understand how these represent not just an illustrious past but hopes for the future. Inspiring them to return to these acts of greatness, Rubio told the European leadership to be “unapologetic in our heritage and proud of this common inheritance,” and only when we come together can we begin “the work of envisioning and shaping our economic and political future.”
Rubio delivered a tough message, but he emphasized America’s care because America wants Europe to succeed. That goes a lot further than merely criticizing or pointing out the problems, something Vance did repeatedly in his speech last year. Rubio stressed the need for Europe to defend itself as capably as possible. Not that America will not come to their aid, but enough riding on America’s coattails. It’s time to recognize that dangers are near, and they must get ready and agree on a plan. As Noah Rothman commented on National Review’s The Editors Podcast, “Rubio said we do not want our allies to be shackled by guilt and shame because we are heirs to the same great and noble civilization. (There is) no interest in being a polite and orderly caretaker of the West’s managed decline. This is all very, very valuable, especially how he (Rubio) defines the West. We in the West have inherited something unique, distinctive, and irreplaceable. The foundation of the transatlantic bond is our shared civilizational heritage, e.g. values.”
Vance represents a wing of Trumpism that has genuine contempt for the modern European social contract and the shared commitment to security. Rubio threaded a needle that only Ronald Reagan effectively did in the conservative sphere. He (Rubio) was blunt, honest, and scolding without being offensive. He seemed reasonable; he advanced the arguments, but he used his knowledge to be forceful in the right circumstances. The ovation that concluded his speech revealed the warm reception of his words. Rubio went to Munich and brought the house down, reassuring our allies and motivating them to do better.
Rubio’s keynote speech sets up a battle for the 2028 Republican nomination that Trump may secretly enjoy. He wants Rubio and Vance to go toe-to-toe and then await his approval. For many, it will be the career politician versus the outsider. Considering that Rubio has been a political figure since 1998, even serving as Florida’s Speaker of the House at 27, some might argue that he embodies the very definition of a career politician, a concept that many on the right reportedly find objectionable. But as Cameron Hilditch points out, many political figures conservatives like were career politicians, including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and even Ronald Reagan after two terms as governor of California and two as president. Rubio wanted to maximize his exposure and advance his ambitions. His performance in Munich came from someone who takes politics seriously, has goals, and wants to leave behind something memorable. Having achieved his ends in Munich, it will be interesting to watch Vance’s response and how the two decide to play this out before things get serious early next year.
Dave Redekop is a retired elementary resource teacher who worked part-time at the St. Catharines Courthouse as a Registrar until being appointed Executive Director at Redeemer Bible Church in October 2023. He has worked on political campaigns since high school and attended university in South Carolina for five years, earning a Master’s in American History with a specialization in Civil Rights. Dave loves reading biographies.
