At the Munich Security Conference in mid-February 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio used his keynote to argue that the United States and Europe “belong together,” framing a renewal project he described as a “new West”—a reinvigorated transatlantic partnership grounded in shared civilizational identity, alongside a tougher insistence on seriousness and reciprocity.
Key messages from Rubio’s Munich speech: the contours of a “New West”
1) The West as one civilization—and a call to re-commit.
Rubio’s central claim was that the United States and Europe are bound by deep historical, cultural, and (in his framing) civilizational ties—and should rebuild their alliance on that foundation. Observers noted a more conciliatory tone than some recent U.S. appearances at Munich.
2) Renewal, but not “business as usual.”
Reporting emphasized that Rubio paired reassurance with a clear message: cooperation should be reset in line with the current U.S. approach rather than simply continuing the previous status quo. The invitation to renew was offered with conditions and expectations.
3) A critique of Western policy choices: migration, deindustrialization, and energy/climate.
Rubio argued that Western cohesion has weakened due to choices linked to mass migration and deindustrialization, and he criticized climate/energy approaches as harming prosperity. Multiple accounts characterized this as a “culture and sovereignty” framing of Western renewal.
4) Sovereignty and borders as a cohesion strategy.
A consistent theme in coverage was Rubio’s view that stronger borders and a sovereignty-first posture are central to restoring legitimacy and stability inside Western democracies.
5) Reforming global institutions—especially the UN—rather than relying on them.
Rubio criticized international institutions’ effectiveness—particularly the UN—while calling for reform and a stronger role for American leadership. BGF welcomes this focus on renewal and effectiveness, and believes America at 250: A Beacon for the AI Age (by Nguyen Anh Tuan and Governor Michael Dukakis) can contribute practical, human-centered solutions—especially on trusted technology, democratic resilience, and measurable standards for cooperation in the AI era.
https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/02/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-at-the-munich-security-conference
