Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan John Mearsheimer: Why Europe still needs the USA
Feb 9, 2026
John Mearsheimer, University of Chicago realist known for critiquing liberal hegemony, returns with a stark geopolitical survey. He discusses Trump’s unilateralism, NATO’s role in European security, the likely frozen future of Ukraine, China’s rise and tech rivalry, and how US policy in the Middle East and at home risks long-term damage. Short, candid, and provocative takeaways on global power politics.
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Unilateralism vs. International Institutions
- President Trump is a radical unilateralist who rejects international law and multilateral institutions like NATO and the UN.
- John Mearsheimer warns this unilateralism will create trouble by undermining the advantages institutions provide.
Leverage Institutions To Reduce Conflict Costs
- Use international law and institutions to minimize costly unilateral actions.
- Rely on multilateral frameworks because they can work to a great power's advantage, says Mearsheimer.
Geography Shapes Alliance Choices
- Proximity to China determines Asian states' limited maneuver room and pushes them toward U.S. alliances.
- Europeans enjoy more strategic flexibility because Russia is not a Soviet-era existential threat, per Mearsheimer.