‘Europe should field the preponderance of the forces required to deter and, if necessary, defeat conventional aggression in Europe. A strategy that pretends the United States can indefinitely serve as the primary conventional defender of Europe while also carrying the decisive burden everywhere else is neither sustainable nor prudent.’

‘Societies construct stories about themselves. During periods of predominance, success is often interpreted as evidence of universal principles or historical destiny. When material conditions change, these stories come under strain.’

‘The masses have never thirsted after truth. Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master; whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim.’

Teddy Roosevelt’s guideline provides a very American solution to both unassimilated immigration and excessive foreign intervention.

‘The administration has so far advanced multiple rationales for the campaign, encompassing Iran’s historical support for terrorism, aspirations for regime change and promotion of women’s rights, the promotion of internal political freedoms, and concerns regarding its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.’

‘The proposed CANZUK framework emphasizes the movement of skilled workers more broadly. Simplifying immigration pathways for professionals and specialists could allow the four economies to respond more quickly to sector-specific labour shortages. Such mobility could help sustain economic growth by ensuring that industries have access to qualified talent.’

‘Power, after all, begs to be balanced, as realist theory holds. As Kenneth Waltz wrote in his final essay: “the very acts that have allowed Israel to maintain its nuclear edge in the short term have prolonged an imbalance that is unsustainable in the long term.”’

The division within Europe inevitably returns, as American power and interest recedes.

‘The return of the power of the Marque will underscore enduring truths in global affairs: that laws of war bend to state needs, and quasi-legal private forces remain potent instruments.’

‘The core paradox of the European Union has always been an aspiration to function as an imperial power without possessing imperial sovereignty. It claims authority over trade, regulations, and cultural norms across the continent, yet it relies on the American nuclear umbrella for external protection and lacks the independent military force needed to impose its will.’