‘The core paradox of the European Union has always been an aspiration to function as an imperial power without possessing imperial sovereignty. It claims authority over trade, regulations, and cultural norms across the continent, yet it relies on the American nuclear umbrella for external protection and lacks the independent military force needed to impose its will.’

‘Europeans occasionally refer to the United States as the “Fourth Rome”, yet within American discourse, the designation is simply the “New Rome”, implying direct succession to the Urbs Aeterna.’

‘The Russian–Western relationship is basically about geography.’

‘Every industrial revolution—and we are in the midst of a new one led by the tech aristocracy—goes through motions that breed new speech and social contracts…The real lesson from this debate is for the new tech-right aristocracy to figure out how they want to wield their power to achieve that equilibrium.’

The need to return to national interest, realism, restraint, balance of power, and Westphalian non-intervention is perhaps the most tragic and urgent lesson that must be learned from this war.