The End of Western Dominance: A New World Order

We’re living through a period of massive global change, and it’s time to stop treating politics like it’s on autopilot. Colonel Douglas Macgregor, a veteran and former advisor to the Secretary of Defense, joined a discussion to talk about how the world is shifting and how the US needs to adapt. Some countries will do well, others won’t, and it all comes down to how well they can adjust to the new reality.

Trump’s European Sanctions Strategy

There’s been a lot of talk about Donald Trump telling Europeans they need to go "full in" on sanctions against Russia, meaning they should impose secondary sanctions on anyone trading with Russia. This has led to different interpretations: is it a foolish move, or a clever strategy we don’t understand?

Colonel Macgregor believes Trump’s message to Europeans was passive-aggressive and unhelpful. He points out that Trump said he’d impose sanctions, but it all depended on Europe following his lead. This ignores a fundamental principle of international relations, as George Washington noted: nations act based on their own interests. Europeans are likely to see this as a call for self-destructive policies, cutting ties with major trading partners like China and India. This doesn’t make sense in a world where everyone is interconnected.

Many European countries, like Turkey, rely on energy from Russia. They see what’s happening in Germany, which has cut itself off from Russian energy, and they’re asking why they should do the same. This push for sanctions is happening at a time when nationalist parties are gaining power across Europe. These parties are focused on their own national interests, culture, and economies, which Colonel Macgregor sees as the downfall of globalism.

Europe’s Nostalgia and Reality Check

There’s a strong sense of nostalgia in some European countries for their past global power and influence. However, Colonel Macgregor argues that this nostalgia is fading as people face more immediate and dangerous issues at home. He’s talking about the impact of large-scale migration, where new arrivals may not share or respect European culture and values. This creates a cultural clash that elites, who can insulate themselves, don’t always experience firsthand.

Most people in Europe don’t want a major war, especially with Russia. They’re happy to send aid to Ukraine, but they don’t want to be directly involved. Colonel Macgregor believes that President Putin has been patient, waiting for this tide of change to sweep over Europe. He suggests that Trump’s message will only speed this up. The real question is when Americans will realize that Washington has led them down the wrong path.

The Shift to the East and a New Role for the West

Colonel Macgregor wrote an article about the shift in global power and wealth towards the East. He doesn’t see this as the end of the West, but rather the end of Western dominance. This multipolar world presents a huge opportunity for the US and Europe. He compares it to 1492, when new trade routes and opportunities emerged. Every nation needs to identify its strengths and cooperate with others where they have advantages.

Historically, the US had a massive merchant marine fleet and a great railroad system. Now, it seems we’ve neglected these assets. Colonel Macgregor suggests the US should invest heavily in fast sea lift and high-speed rail, similar to how the Roman Empire used its central location in the Mediterranean to build trade networks. Imagine moving goods from France to the US East Coast, then by high-speed rail to the West Coast, and then across the Pacific. This would be much more efficient than the current routes through multiple countries with varying costs and complexities.

Demilitarizing Relations and Focusing Inward

Colonel Macgregor advocates for demilitarizing relations with the rest of the world, especially in Asia and the Middle East. He criticizes the US focus on selling military equipment, even to countries like India that have their own interests, including good relations with Russia and China. The idea that a war between India and China would benefit the US is flawed thinking.

Instead, the US should focus on building prosperity at home, as President Eisenhower suggested. We need to export prosperity, not conflict. He recalls a time when Syrian representatives approached the US at Versailles, admiring its fairness and lack of interest in conquest, asking for help in ruling themselves. Today, that reputation is gone. The US is no longer seen as a beacon of hope.

Americans often believe they wear the "white hats" and are the good guys, spreading democracy and human rights. But Colonel Macgregor argues this is a facade. The US has spent trillions on interventions that have yielded chaos and instability. He believes the focus should be on domestic issues: jobs, secure borders, and law and order. Most Americans agree on these basic needs.

The Danger of Idealism and Internal Upheaval

Colonel Macgregor draws parallels between the French Revolution and the Bolshevik revolution, both starting with idealistic notions of peace and brotherhood but ending in empire and war. This missionary approach, where nations believe they must bring their way of life to others, often leads to the same imperialistic behavior they claim to oppose.

He believes the US is not likely to break apart, despite some grim predictions. Most Americans agree on the need for law and order, safe neighborhoods, and a good standard of living. The problem lies with political elites who have drifted too far from the people they represent. He uses the example of Gordon Brown dismissing a woman’s concerns about migration as racist, highlighting how elites often fail to address the real issues faced by ordinary citizens.

When societies flood themselves with millions of people who are unwilling to assimilate and have different agendas, it creates a dangerous situation. Dismissing people’s concerns as racism is not a solution. Colonel Macgregor warns that the West is sleeping on the slopes of a volcano, and an explosion is coming, directed not at external enemies, but internally. The current political leadership in Europe and the US needs to acknowledge this reality and change course.