The Econoclasts Marco Rubio’s new world order & Starmer’s plan to rejoin Europe
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Feb 18, 2026 Discussion of a perceived US pivot away from Europe after Marco Rubio’s Munich speech. Debate over whether Europe should pool weapons procurement rather than just boost spending. Examination of the UK’s push for regulatory realignment with the EU and risks that alignment poses to biotech, AI and bargaining power. A bleak assessment of Western alliances and political honesty.
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Transatlantic Status Quo Is Unraveling
- The US is creating operational and fiscal facts that reduce its willingness to guarantee European conventional defense.
- NATO command shifts and tariff policies make a return to the old transatlantic status quo unlikely.
2008 Shift Changed US View Of Europe
- Post-2008 shifts made the US view Europe as less essential for financing and security.
- Policies like the IRA and onshoring incentives accelerate American pivot away from Europe.
Europe’s Defense Problem Is Duplication
- European defense fails mainly from wasteful duplication and lack of pooled procurement.
- Effective European defence requires pooling procurement and a federal-like fiscal capacity.