A year ago, American Vice President Jay D. Vance made headlines at the Munich Conference with a shocking speech that highlighted significant rifts in the post-war framework of the North Atlantic Alliance. Over the past year, the Trump administration has drastically altered the global order, implementing transactional diplomacy and mercantilism, undermining international law, and even challenging European territorial sovereignty. These actions have deepened the cracks in NATO's very foundation.

As leaders prepare to meet again in Munich, this time with American Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance, the agenda will be overshadowed by two pressing questions: Is the damage to US-European security relations irreversible? And does Europe have any hope of standing on its own without American military support? These questions will likely dominate discussions, with a particular focus on Europe's strategic autonomy in the face of shifting global power dynamics.

The implications of this conference extend beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric; they indicate a pivotal moment for transatlantic relations. As concerns grow regarding the reliability of US commitments to NATO and European security, European leaders may need to reconsider their defense strategies and approaches to international collaboration. The forthcoming discussions could set the tone for how Europe navigates its future in a post-Trump world, especially in terms of defense and security strategy.