Rubio: Washington is leading the restoration of the global order and the future of NATO
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the outlines of the new US foreign policy strategy under President Donald Trump, indicating Washington's ambition to lead a comprehensive "restructuring" of the current world order. These statements reflect a fundamental shift in the US approach to international institutions and traditional alliances, as the administration seeks to reposition the United States as a key and decisive player on the international stage.
A scathing critique of the United Nations' role
In recent press statements, Rubio directly criticized the effectiveness of current international organizations, asserting that the United Nations no longer plays any real or tangible role in resolving escalating international conflicts. This stance reflects the traditional view of the conservative wing in Washington, which has long questioned the value of relying on multilateral institutions plagued by bureaucracy and Security Council divisions, preferring direct action or strong bilateral alliances to secure American interests and achieve stability.
A new strategy towards NATO and Europe
Regarding relations with Europe, Rubio clarified that the United States is not seeking to "divide" NATO, but rather aims to "strengthen" it. This term diplomatically refers to the pressure Washington exerts on its European allies to increase their defense spending and assume greater responsibility for maintaining common security—a policy that was a cornerstone of Trump's first term under the banner of "burden-sharing.".
The US Secretary of State stressed the depth of transatlantic ties, saying that the United States and Europe are "destined to be together," sending a message of reassurance to allies that Washington does not intend to abandon its security commitments, but requires updating the mechanisms of joint action to be more effective in confronting current geopolitical challenges.
The context of geopolitical transformations and their impact
These remarks come at a time of unprecedented global turmoil, from conflicts in Eastern Europe to tensions in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region. Rubio's talk of "restoring" the world order implicitly suggests the US administration's conviction that the existing system has fractured and is no longer capable of deterring adversaries or protecting allies.
This trend is expected to have far-reaching effects. Internationally, we may witness a return to a policy of "peace through strength," where Washington prioritizes national interests and alliances based on tangible results. Regionally, it could push European states to accelerate their plans to strengthen their defense independence while maintaining the American security umbrella, while international organizations may face unprecedented pressure to reform their structures or risk complete marginalization in the new world order that Washington seeks to shape.
