REPROGRAMMING THE TERMINATOR There's another option: Republicans could reprogram American Empire rather than winding it down. Like reprogramming the Terminator. Because if the US just cuts European countries loose after decades of Blue American indoctrination, those states won't necessarily become based on their lonesome. Instead, they'll likely become Chinese satellites — and indeed, this is already underway: So, here's a sketch of what a reprogram-the-empire strategy could look like, for both Europe and the Five Eyes (UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand): (1) New US country managers. First, swap out all Victoria Nuland-style neocons for Michael Anton-style realists. Basically, appoint a serious ambassador for each nation, what in tech we'd call a "country manager." (2) New in-country leads. Second, determine who the best local conservative, libertarian, or nationalist is, like a Nigel Farage or Pierre Poilievre equivalent in each allied state. Also have a few backup candidates in the event your number one pick doesn't take office. (3) Organize a center-right coalition. Third, bring all these people to the White House for a photo shoot and joint declaration. Put the full power of X behind them. Spend political capital building up the center-right in each country. Focus on common interests like trade deals, strong borders, and traditional values. (4) Publish a co-signed agenda for each country. Have your US country manager and in-country lead collaborate on a joint document, to be published in both English and their local language(s), on what a conservative/nationalist/libertarian revival would look like in their country, and how both the US and their country would benefit. Have Americans who hail from these places comment positively on the new direction. (5) Support them to political victory and beyond. Now, back your in country leads to the hilt from the White House, both before and after they attain power. Revise the law as needed to make all this legal in both countries. Essentially, reverse the polarities on the US State Department and turn it into something which supports center-right people with common interests abroad, a bit like what Reagan did but modernized. Why should Republicans consider this strategy? Well, there are only 77M MAGA vs 1.4B China. And when American Empire was done right, as it arguably was for the first ~70 years, it created peace and prosperity for its subjects. Moreover, the Russians under Gorbachev just messily dismantled their far-left empire, but the Chinese under Deng Xiaoping gradually reprogrammed theirs — and who's doing better today? The path of reprogramming usually beats the path of dismantling. Anyway, this path for reforming Europe specifically and American Empire in general might be impossible, given the circumstances. But one should at least consider reprogramming the Terminator.