Guy Ciarrocchi: Rubio wants to make America and Europe united — and great again

Secretary of State Marco Rubio seized the opportunity of the 62nd Munich Conference not merely to give another foreign policy speech, but to set forth both a vision and call to action for America and our European allies to seek greatness built on Western civilization and our shared cultures and values — not merely to defend our history, but to confront the future without fear.  

His 22-minute speech sets forth America’s vision, inviting our allies — on whose shoulders America stands — to chart this course together. But America will stand alone if we must.

The most consequential speech in Europe by an American since President Ronald Reagan called on Soviet Dictator Gorbachev to “tear down” the Berlin Wall.

Secretary Rubio reminds us why these conferences began:

“Soviet communism was on the march. Thousands of years of Western civilization hung in the balance…victory was far from certain…We were unified not just by what we were fighting against; we were unified by what we were fighting for.  And together, Europe and America prevailed…

But the euphoria of this triumph led us to a dangerous delusion: that every nation would now be a liberal democracy; that the ties formed by trade…would now replace nationhood…and that we would now live in a world without borders where everyone became a citizen of the world.” 

Rubio bluntly reminds us that this naiveté got us to where we are today: weakened economies; dependency on enemies for energy by appeasing anti-commonsense climate cultists; an impotent UN; a misguided European Union weakening national sovereignty; the rise of China, Iran, North Korea, dictators and drug-lords; and our customs and cultures endangered.

“This was a foolish idea that ignored both human nature and it ignored the lessons of over 5,000 years…we embraced a dogmatic vision of free trade, even as some nations protected their economies and subsidized their companies to systematically undercut ours…shipping millions of working and middle-class jobs overseas, and handing control of our critical supply chains to both adversaries and rivals. 

We increasingly outsourced our sovereignty to international institutions…at the cost of maintaining the ability to defend themselves…even as other countries have invested in the most rapid military buildup in all of human history and have not hesitated to use hard power to pursue their own interests. To appease a climate cult, we have imposed energy policies on ourselves…as our competitors exploit oil and coal and natural gas…to use as leverage against our own. 

And in a pursuit of a world without borders, we opened our doors to an unprecedented wave of mass migration that threatens the cohesion of our societies, the continuity of our culture, and the future of our people.  We made these mistakes together, and now, together, we owe it to our people to face those facts and to move forward…” 

Rubio explains how and why we must rebuild and have a rebirth — hopefully, with a proud Europe made up of vibrant nations.

“The United States of America will once again take on the task …And while we are prepared, if necessary, to do this alone, it is our preference and it is our hope to do this together with you… 

America was founded 250 years ago, but the roots began here…bound to one another by the deepest bonds that nations could share, forged by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry, and the sacrifices our forefathers made together…

And so this is why we Americans may sometimes come off as a little direct and urgent…We want Europe to be strong…because we know that the fate of Europe will never be irrelevant to our own. 

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. 

It was here in Europe where the ideas that planted the seeds of liberty that changed the world were born…which gave the world the rule of law, the universities, and the scientific revolution…[they] testify not just to the greatness of our past or to a faith in God that inspired these marvels. They foreshadow the wonders that await us in our future.”  

Rubio issues the call to action to the European leaders — inviting, if not imploring them, to defend themselves and join us in the possibilities of what comes next. 

“In a perfect world, all of these problems…would be solved by diplomats…But we do not live in a perfect world, and we cannot continue to allow those who blatantly and openly threaten our citizens and endanger our global stability to shield themselves behind abstractions of international law which they themselves routinely violate. 

Our predecessors recognized that decline was a choice, and it was a choice they refused to make…We want allies who can defend themselves so that no adversary will ever be tempted to test our collective strength…

For we in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West’s managed decline…What we want is a reinvigorated alliance that recognizes that what has ailed our societies is not just a set of bad policies but a malaise of hopelessness and complacency…And the only fear we have is the fear of the shame of not leaving our nations prouder, stronger, and wealthier for our children. 

And I am here today to leave it clear that America is charting the path for a new century of prosperity, and that once again we want to do it together with you, our cherished allies and our oldest friends. 

Because yesterday is over, the future is inevitable, and our destiny together awaits.  Thank you.” 

Guy Ciarrocchi writes for Broad + Liberty and RealClear Pennsylvania— and, proud that he wrote a commentary praising Secretary Rubio in 2025. A Senior Fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation, follow Guy at @PaSuburbsGuy.