Rubio Promotes American Empire at Munich Security Conference

The Trump administration's foreign policy has taken an alarming turn toward open imperialism, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivering a chilling message to European allies at the Munich Security Conference that "empire is great" and "empire is American."

According to analysis by Mehdi Hasan, Rubio's appearance at the prestigious international gathering represented a disturbing departure from decades of American diplomatic norms. The Secretary of State's rhetoric came fresh off what Hasan describes as the administration "toppling the president of Venezuela and taking control of the world's largest oil reserves."

This brazen embrace of imperial language at one of the world's most important security forums signals a fundamental shift in how the United States presents itself on the global stage. Rather than couching interventions in humanitarian terms or democratic ideals, the current administration appears willing to openly celebrate territorial and resource acquisition as policy goals.

The timing and venue of Rubio's comments make them particularly concerning. The Munich Security Conference has historically served as a forum for building international consensus and addressing shared security challenges through multilateral cooperation. By using this platform to promote what Hasan characterizes as a "Make Empire Great Again" doctrine, the administration risks alienating key allies at a time when global cooperation is desperately needed.

The reference to controlling Venezuela's oil reserves is especially troubling, as it suggests American foreign policy is being driven by resource extraction rather than strategic security concerns or human rights considerations. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, making any American intervention there a matter of significant global economic consequence.

For European governments already grappling with their own security challenges, Rubio's imperial rhetoric likely raises serious questions about American reliability as a partner. The explicit celebration of empire runs counter to the post-World War II international order that European nations helped establish and continue to support.

The shift from "MAGA" to what appears to be "MEGA" represents more than just a rhetorical evolution—it suggests a foreign policy doctrine that prioritizes American dominance over international law and diplomatic norms. This approach threatens to destabilize existing alliance structures and could encourage other major powers to pursue similarly aggressive territorial ambitions.

The implications extend far beyond Venezuela. If the United States is willing to openly embrace imperial conquest, other nations may feel compelled to strengthen their own military capabilities or seek alternative security arrangements that don't rely on American leadership. This could accelerate the fragmentation of the international system at a time when global challenges require unprecedented cooperation.

Sources

1. Forget Maga. Welcome to Mega: Make Empire Great Again — The Guardian International