EDITOR'S CORNER: Europe, a State in Flux?

A great deal has unfolded over the past week at the Munich Security Conference, leaving both Europe and Ukraine in a state of uncertainty. The U.S. has signaled a more isolationist stance, even threatening to withdraw military troops and funding from Europe. This shift puts the security framework that Europe has relied on since the end of World War II and the Cold War on increasingly shaky ground—with no clear alternative in sight.

In this blog post, I want to examine what this new, more aggressive U.S. position means for Europe and explore potential paths forward.

AMERICA WILL NOT PAY!

The Trump administration, led by the world's wealthiest man and a real estate mogul, is increasingly obsessed with cutting costs, hoarding funds, and boosting U.S. coffers. While every country grapples with inflation and rising living costs, slashing expenses at the expense of global influence and long-standing alliances is reckless beyond measure. Yet, this is precisely what Trump and his cronies, like Elon Musk, are doing!

One of their most damaging moves has been the gutting of USAID, an agency that provided crucial funding for international initiatives—from poverty prevention and medical aid in Africa to life-saving treatment for AIDS and HIV patients. It also supported critical care for vulnerable women in poverty-stricken regions. Beyond its humanitarian impact, USAID was a pillar of American soft power—the ability to influence and lead through diplomacy, cultural appeal, and political values rather than brute force. In an increasingly unstable world, the strongest superpower shouldn’t rely solely on military dominance; political influence matters just as much. But that leverage is now crumbling.  

Much of the damage comes down to execution. Musk ordered an immediate freeze on USAID with no warning, leaving nearly 10,000 workers in limbo—only around 300 are expected to remain. The consequences of this rash decision are already rippling across the globe. Stories of pregnant women lacking care in refugee camps due USAID doctors being sent home, to children starving because the funds were frozen for their food are shocking.  

As if that weren’t enough, the Munich Security Conference delivered another shock: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared that America must now prioritize its own borders and internal protection, urging Europe to take responsibility for its own defense. This marks the unraveling of the security arrangements that have underpinned Europe since World War II. The question on everyone’s mind: Is this the beginning of the end for NATO?

WE WILL NOT INCLUDE UKRAINE IN NEGOTIATIONS!

Not only did the U.S.'s isolationist stance shock European leaders, but the most heated topic at the Munich Security Conference was Ukraine—and the so-called "peace negotiations." The problem? The U.S. didn’t act like a loyal ally but like a predatory power.  

First, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested that European nations should send troops to Ukraine while making it clear they shouldn’t expect any support from the U.S. Then, in a closed-door meeting between Ukrainian officials and American delegates, the U.S. demanded that Ukraine hand over 50% of its rare earth minerals in exchange for continued support—despite offering little in return. The message to Zelenskyy was blunt: Ukraine must repay every cent, with interest, that the U.S. has contributed to the war effort. Considering Ukraine’s rare earth minerals are valued at $500 billion, compared to the $69 billion in military aid it has received since the full-scale invasion, the demand was nothing short of extortion. Zelenskyy, rightly, refused.  

To make matters worse, Trump and Putin are set to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days—with no European representation and no Ukrainian presence at the table. European leaders are in full-blown panic, and for good reason. How can European security be negotiated without Europe? How can a war between Ukraine and Russia be decided without Ukraine? The situation is not just unacceptable—it’s a complete betrayal.  

A MULIPOLAR WORLD 

Ultimately, we are witnessing the collapse of the old world order, where the U.S. was the dominant global power, and the rise of a more fragmented, multipolar world. This transition is dangerous—not just because of the competing superpowers, but because many of them are deeply autocratic and self-interested. We have long understood the threats posed by authoritarian giants like Russia and China, but the idea of the U.S. joining this mix as an isolationist, transactional power is an unsettling and unfamiliar reality.  

The key question now is: how will Russia and China respond to this shift? If America retreats into self-interest, smaller Western nations will be left increasingly vulnerable. Taiwan is at immediate risk, as Xi Jinping may see this moment as an opportunity to strike, knowing there is no firm U.S. commitment to defend it. Meanwhile, in Europe, fears are mounting that Putin could extend his war beyond Ukraine—to NATO countries like the Baltics, Poland, or even Finland—without triggering a meaningful U.S. response. If that happens, NATO will collapse overnight. Worse still, if the Ukraine peace deal is mishandled, it could send a dangerous signal: aggression works. Bigger countries can invade smaller ones, claim victory, and return to the status quo—unchallenged.  

CONCLUSION

The Munich Security Conference was eventful this ear, just as it was in 2024. Last year, the world was shaken by the death of Alexei Navalny. Now, in 2025, we find ourselves at a crossroads where the decisions made today will shape global security for decades to come. The U.S.'s retreat from its traditional leadership role has thrown Europe into uncertainty, left Ukraine vulnerable, and emboldened authoritarian powers like Russia and China. One thing is clear: we cannot allow them to negotiate peace in Ukraine without Europe or Ukraine at the table!

Without a clear counterstrategy, NATO’s survival is at risk, and smaller nations may find themselves exposed to unchecked aggression. Europe must act decisively—either by strengthening its own defense capabilities or forging new alliances that can fill the growing security void. If the West fails to respond with unity and strength, we risk sliding into a new era of instability—one where power is dictated not by shared democratic values, but by brute force and self-interest.

The post-WWII order is unraveling, and what comes next will depend entirely on whether democratic nations rise to meet this challenge—or stand by as history repeats itself.