Daily RC and Vocabulary 17th February

Transatlantic strains​

Europe should engage with the wider world to reduce dependence on the U.S.The international rules-based order “no longer exists”, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at the annual Munich Security Conference. French President Emmanuel Macron called for greater European “military autonomy”, arguing that the continent must become a stronger pillar within NATO. While these remarks reflected Europe’s growing anxiety over the U.S.’s receding security commitments, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised a path of cooperation. He advocated a stronger alliance rooted in shared history and Christian cultural linkages rather than shared strategic interests. The speeches by European and American officials underscored both the strains in transatlantic ties and Europe’s mounting challenges. Last year, at the same venue, U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance had slammed Europe’s democratic model and its refugee policies. Mr. Rubio, though conciliatory, also echoed the American far-right’s central talking point of “civilizational erasure”. The Trump administration wants Europe, at a moment of crisis, to join its culture wars and its push to reassert western dominance. 

Today’s Europe faces a trifecta of challenges. First, the largest land conflict since the end of the Second World War has been raging on its eastern flank for four years. Europe’s principal response has been to arm Ukraine and hurt Russia through sanctions, but this has not produced decisive results on the battlefield. Second, Europe has relied on the U.S. for its security since the Second World War, a dependence that deepened after the Cold War. This lopsided partnership is no longer sustainable as the U.S., where a new far-right movement seeks to recast transatlantic ties, appears increasingly less committed to European security. Mr. Trump’s remarks about taking control of Greenland risk undermining the alliance’s collective defence principle. Third, resurgent far-right movements across Europe are challenging the idea of an inclusive European Union. As the global order shifts — as Mr. Rubio said ahead of Munich — Europe risks being squeezed by these crosscurrents. Instead, Europe has to reduce its reliance on the U.S. and build greater strategic autonomy. And if it is worried about the breakdown in the international order, it should help rebuild that by working with countries beyond the West. In the near term, Europe must also work towards ending the war in Ukraine and establishing a workable new normal with Russia. Finally, European leaders must address public resentment towards the political establishment, which continues to fuel the rise of the far-right. Continental peace and stability and cooperation and engagement with the wider world should guide Europe while it reimagines its role in the emerging world order.

1️⃣ Receding (Verb/Adjective)Meaning: Gradually moving back or diminishing.
Context: U.S.’s receding security commitments.
Example: America’s receding involvement in Europe has triggered strategic anxiety within NATO.2️⃣ Autonomy (Noun)Meaning: The right or condition of self-government; independence.
Context: European military autonomy.
Example: France has long advocated strategic autonomy to reduce reliance on the United States.3️⃣ Conciliatory (Adjective)Meaning: Intended to placate or pacify; showing willingness to reconcile.
Context: Rubio’s conciliatory tone.
Example: The minister adopted a conciliatory approach to ease diplomatic tensions.4️⃣ Echoed (Verb)Meaning: Repeated or reflected an idea or sentiment.
Context: Echoed far-right talking points.
Example: The speech echoed nationalist rhetoric prevalent across Europe.5️⃣ Civilizational Erasure (Phrase)Meaning: The perceived loss or destruction of cultural identity and heritage.
Context: American far-right narrative.
Example: Some political groups frame immigration as a threat of civilizational erasure.6️⃣ Trifecta (Noun)Meaning: A group of three related problems or achievements occurring together.
Context: Europe faces a trifecta of challenges.
Example: Inflation, unemployment, and currency depreciation formed a trifecta of economic woes.7️⃣ Lopsided (Adjective)Meaning: Uneven or unbalanced.
Context: Lopsided partnership with the U.S.
Example: The defence relationship became lopsided as Europe reduced military spending.8️⃣ Resurgent (Adjective)Meaning: Increasing or reviving after a period of little activity.
Context: Resurgent far-right movements.
Example: Resurgent nationalism is reshaping European politics.9️⃣ Crosscurrents (Noun)Meaning: Conflicting forces or influences operating simultaneously.
Context: Europe being squeezed by crosscurrents.
Example: Policymakers must navigate the crosscurrents of domestic pressure and global expectations.🔟 Reimagine (Verb)Meaning: To rethink or reinterpret creatively or strategically.
Context: Europe reimagining its role.
Example: The EU must reimagine its global role in an emerging multipolar order.
🧠 RC MCQsQ1.Which of the following best captures the central concern of the editorial?A) The decline of NATO as a military alliance
B) Europe’s inability to militarily defeat Russia
C) The erosion of transatlantic trust and the need for European strategic autonomy
D) The rise of Christian civilizational identity in Western politicsQ2.The reference to “civilizational erasure” in the passage primarily suggests:A) Europe’s demographic decline
B) The ideological framing of geopolitical issues in cultural terms
C) Russia’s attempt to undermine Western culture
D) The collapse of multilateral institutionsQ3.The author’s suggestion that Europe should “work with countries beyond the West” implies:1. A move toward multipolar engagement2. Dissatisfaction with exclusive Atlanticism3. A complete withdrawal from NATOWhich of the statements given above is/are correct?A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3Q4.The description of the U.S.–Europe partnership as “lopsided” most directly refers to:A) Trade imbalances between the U.S. and Europe
B) Europe’s overdependence on American security guarantees
C) Unequal voting rights within NATO
D) Cultural divergence between American and European societiesQ5.Which of the following assumptions is implicit in the editorial?A) The Ukraine war can only be resolved militarily.
B) The far-right’s rise is solely due to economic recession.
C) Strategic autonomy is compatible with alliance cooperation.
D) Europe must choose between the U.S. and Russia permanently.
✅ Answers with Detailed ExplanationsQ1. Answer: CThe editorial revolves around the strain in transatlantic ties and the need for Europe to reduce dependence on the U.S. and build strategic autonomy.

• (A) Too narrow — NATO is not declared obsolete.
• (B) Not the central thesis.
• (D) Mentioned but not the main focus.

✔ Correct: CQ2. Answer: B“Civilizational erasure” is used in the ideological context — framing geopolitical concerns in cultural identity terms rather than strategic interests.

• (A) Demography is not the primary focus.
• (C) Russia is not described this way.
• (D) Not linked to institutions directly.

✔ Correct: BQ3. Answer: B1️⃣ Correct — The article implies engagement in a multipolar world.
2️⃣ Correct — It critiques overreliance on the Atlantic alliance.
3️⃣ Incorrect — It does not suggest withdrawing from NATO.✔ Correct: B (1 and 2 only)Q4. Answer: B“Lopsided” refers to the imbalance where the U.S. provides security while Europe depends heavily on it.

• (A) Trade not discussed.
• (C) Voting rights irrelevant here.
• (D) Cultural differences are secondary.

✔ Correct: BQ5. Answer: CThe editorial argues Europe can maintain NATO ties while building autonomy. That assumes autonomy and alliance cooperation are compatible.

• (A) Opposite — it suggests diplomatic resolution.
• (B) Oversimplification — far-right rise has broader causes.
• (D) No binary choice suggested.

✔ Correct: C