US and Europe Drifting 'Far Apart', Munich Conference Reveals

Washington signals it will reshape global order with or without Europe's support, sources say

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Munich Security Conference has revealed a widening rift between the US and Europe, as Washington signaled that it will seek to reshape the global order regardless of whether Europe is on board or not, according to a Politico report. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a conciliatory tone, the underlying message was that the US does not want 'weak allies' and will not 'defend the old order', sources told the publication.

Why it matters

The growing divide between the US and Europe has significant geopolitical implications, as the transatlantic alliance has been a cornerstone of the global order since World War II. The US signaling that it is willing to go it alone could lead to further tensions and a realignment of global power dynamics.

The details

According to the Politico report, while Rubio told the conference that the US and Europe 'belong together' and called America a 'child of Europe', the tone was at odds with the underlying message. One former European official said the US was essentially telling Europe to 'Join us, and if you don't, we go alone.' Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby also reportedly told European officials privately that the US shares interests but not values with Europe.

  • The Munich Security Conference took place on February 16, 2026.

The players

Marco Rubio

The US Secretary of State who delivered a conciliatory tone at the Munich conference, but whose underlying message was that the US does not want 'weak allies' and will not 'defend the old order'.

Elbridge Colby

The Pentagon policy chief who reportedly told European officials privately that the US shares interests but not values with Europe.

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What they’re saying

“The underlying message was the same: We don't want weak allies, don't defend the old order.”

— Former European official (Politico)

“If the smallest common denominators the Americans can find are our common history going back to Columbus, narrow national security interests, and common civilization, that alone shows how far apart Europe and the US are drifting.”

— Former European official (Politico)

“Rubio comes with a conciliatory tone, but then he goes to Hungary and Slovakia. What kind of a signal is that?”

— European lawmaker (Politico)

“It is a milder way of telling us that the time of unicorns riding bicycles across rainbows laced with tofu and almond milk is over.”

— EU official (Politico)

The takeaway

The growing divide between the US and Europe, as signaled at the Munich Security Conference, could have far-reaching implications for the future of the transatlantic alliance and the global order. It remains to be seen whether the two sides can bridge their differences or if they will continue to drift further apart.