The Munich Security Conference, recently inaugurated by Germany's Merz, aims to confront the erosion of the transatlantic order. In a notable moment during the event, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz, used the MAGA (Make America Great Again) rhetoric to frame American foreign policy and the vision articulated by former President Donald Trump. This invocation of a singular political narrative in a forum traditionally characterized by multilateralism raises significant questions about the current state of international diplomacy and the evolving role of the United States on the global stage.

Waltz argued that rather than completely collapsing, the international system is undergoing a transformation and even improvement under U.S. leadership, suggesting that current changes are strategic adjustments rather than a decline in effectiveness. By positioning this development as a restoration of order, he aligns with the MAGA philosophy that emphasizes American exceptionalism and a return to a perceived golden age of U.S. foreign policy. This perspective also indicates a potential shift towards unilateralist tactics in contrast to established multilateral frameworks that have underpinned global relations for decades.

The implications of this rhetoric at such a prominent gathering are profound, signaling not only a possible redefinition of U.S. engagement with international institutions like the UN but also raising concerns among allies regarding America's commitment to collective security. As the conference draws attention to the challenges of maintaining a cohesive transatlantic relationship, it may inevitably lead to a reevaluation of strategies that have historically fostered cooperation and unity against shared global threats, emphasizing the delicate balance between national interests and global responsibilities as perceived by various parties in the international system.