LIVE: Former US Vice President Mike Pence speaks at Chatham House

Key Concepts

Strength and Vigilance for Peace: Peace is maintained through military strength, constant vigilance, and sacrifice, not through an equal balance of power.
American Leadership: When America leads, the world is safer; when it falters, chaos ensues.
Transatlantic Alliance: The NATO alliance is a crucial foundation for current and future security, built on shared values like faith, family, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
"Special Relationship" Strain: Recent unilateral tariffs by the US and certain UK government decisions have strained the US-UK relationship.
Shared Values and Trust: Concerns exist in the US that some UK policies (e.g., regarding free speech, intelligence sharing, open borders) may indicate a divergence from shared Western values.
Ukraine War: Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a blatant act of aggression and an assault on self-determination and international order.
Secondary Sanctions: The US should implement strong secondary sanctions against nations supporting Russia's war machine through energy purchases.
China Challenge: The rise of communist China poses the greatest 21st-century challenge to security and economies, characterized by trade abuses, military provocations, human rights violations, and attempts to remake the world in its image.
Religious Freedom: China's persecution of Christianity and religious leaders is a critical concern.
US-UK-Israel Partnership: A deep historical bond exists between the US and UK with Israel, rooted in shared values and a commitment to its survival.
Anti-Semitism: A dangerous trend of anti-Semitism is re-emerging in the West and must be universally condemned.
American Leadership and Isolationism: Despite some isolationist sentiments, the American people believe in their nation's role as a leader of the free world.
Rule of Law in the US: The US emphatically respects and cherishes the rule of law and freedom, with a commitment to peaceful transfer of power.
Tariffs and Constitutional Authority: The use of unilateral tariffs by the President is being challenged constitutionally, with arguments that such powers belong to Congress.
Free Trade: Beyond China, the US advocates for free trade with free nations as a path to prosperity.
Quality of US Democracy: Confidence is expressed in the resilience of American democracy, despite challenges and criticisms.
Public Debt: Public debt is identified as a significant threat to the long-term security and prosperity of both the US and UK.
Immigration Policy: Secure borders and orderly, merit-based immigration systems are crucial for national sovereignty and benefit.

Summary

The Imperative of Strength and Alliance in a Turbulent World

The speaker emphasizes that peace is not achieved through a balance of power but through strength, vigilance, and sacrifice. Citing Margaret Thatcher, the argument is made that military weakness tempts tyrants, leading to war. The core tenet presented is that American leadership makes the world safer, while its faltering leads to chaos. Similarly, Britain's moral authority and clarity embolden free peoples. The NATO alliance is deemed not an artifact of the past but a foundation for the future, built upon shared values of faith, family, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. These values are presented as the fruits of ordered liberty and the bedrock of Western civilization, requiring defense in an increasingly turbulent world.

Strains on the "Special Relationship" and Shared Values

Acknowledging the upcoming funeral of Vice President Dick Cheney, the speaker candidly admits that the "special relationship" between the US and UK has recently felt "specially difficult." This strain is attributed to unilateral tariffs imposed by the US on allies and adversaries alike, and conversely, to certain choices made in London. Specifically, concerns are raised about:

British courts imprisoning citizens for speech or prayer: This is seen as undermining freedom of expression.
UK government withholding intelligence due to distrust of US actions against narco-terrorists: This is viewed as a breach of trust and alliance.
Embracing "open border policies" perceived as undermining sovereignty: This is seen as a trend that weakens the West.

Despite these concerns, the speaker reassures that the United States remains a friend to the United Kingdom, and the American people recognize this enduring bond. The most effective way to strengthen the alliance, it is argued, is to live out the freedoms that underpin it: free speech, secure borders, and the moral courage to confront evil.

The War in Eastern Europe: A Call for Renewed Action

The war raging in Eastern Europe, stemming from Russia's brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, is highlighted as the clearest calling for the US and UK to stand together. The speaker recounts personal experiences witnessing the influx of Ukrainian refugees into Poland and visiting the sites where Ukrainian troops bravely repelled the initial invasion of Kyiv. Vladimir Putin's invasion is characterized as the most blatant act of aggression in Europe since 1939, an assault not only on Ukraine but on the right of free people to self-determination and the principle of not allowing borders to be redrawn by force. The speaker expresses no doubt that if Putin overruns Ukraine, he will eventually cross a border where American forces will be engaged.

While commending the UK's leadership in providing weapons, training, and rallying Europe, the speaker asserts that "we must do more." The argument is made that Putin will not stop until he is stopped. To this end, the speaker calls for strong secondary sanctions against any nation propping up Russia's war machine through energy purchases. The speaker notes that over a trillion dollars worth of Russian oil and gas has been purchased, funding Putin's war. Implementing strong secondary sanctions, coupled with the US's abundant oil and natural gas reserves and the UK's significant North Sea reserves, is presented as a way to "fuel freedom like never before."

The Challenge of Communist China

Beyond Europe, the rise of communist China is identified as the greatest challenge to the security and economies of the free world in the 21st century. Beijing's actions, including trade abuses, military provocations, and human rights violations, are bringing it closer to Taiwan. The speaker specifically condemns China's "long-running war on Christianity," citing the recent arrest of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingry and other church leaders. The US and UK are urged to call on the CCP to release these detained leaders and to support Hong Kong's call for Jimmy Lai's freedom. The speaker asserts that communism will never defeat Christianity, referencing the empty tomb of Jesus as a symbol of enduring faith.

President Xi Jinping's belief that history is bending in China's favor and that the West is decadent is challenged. The speaker confidently states that President Xi is wrong and that together, the US and its allies will meet China's challenge with unity, defending freedom, navigation in the Pacific, standing with Taiwan, securing supply lines, and ensuring technologies are shaped by liberty, not tyranny. The future, it is declared, belongs to freedom, not the Chinese Communist Party.

The Enduring US-UK-Israel Partnership and the Fight Against Anti-Semitism

The speaker expresses pride in the shared, deep historical bond between the US and UK with Israel. The tradition of Christian Zionism in Britain is credited with inspiring the Balfour Declaration, which paved the way for Israel's rebirth. America's recognition of Israel in 1948 is highlighted as a legacy worth defending. Israel's survival is attributed to partnership, exemplified by the US B-2 bombers and the Israeli Air Force working together to neutralize threats.

Alongside this alliance, the speaker calls for a renewed vigilance against a growing evil re-emerging in the West: old hatreds dressed in new rhetoric. Anti-Semitism, whether whispered or shouted, is deemed to have no place in a free society and must be universally condemned.

American Leadership and the Rejection of Isolationism

Addressing the perception that America is weary and losing interest in global leadership, the speaker asserts that this is not the America they know. Outside of social media echo chambers, the American people still believe in their founding ideals and embrace America's role as leader of the free world. A 2024 national survey by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library found a record high of 57% of Americans believing the US should be more engaged internationally. Even a majority of self-identified MAGA Republicans reportedly embrace this principle. The speaker believes the American people are rejecting the siren song of populism. America's core character, defined by a belief in freedom, free markets, and government of, by, and for the people, remains constant. The speaker urges against pessimism and loss of faith, emphasizing the goodness, decency, and resolve of the American people.

Upholding the Rule of Law and Constitutional Authority

In response to questions about the US respecting the rule of law, the speaker emphatically states "yes." The people and leaders of the US not only respect but cherish the rule of law and freedom. The speaker expresses pride in the Trump-Pence administration's record, including the defeat of the ISIS caliphate, the removal of Qasem Soleimani, and unwavering support for Israel, including moving the embassy to Jerusalem. While acknowledging President Trump's unique rhetorical style, the speaker points to America's actions and the administration's progress on Ukraine as evidence of the American people's and leadership's expectations. The speaker asserts that President Trump is not an isolationist and that "America First" does not mean "America Alone," but rather that allies must fulfill their obligations, citing increased NATO investments as evidence.

Regarding tariffs, the speaker hopes they will not outlast the Trump administration. The Supreme Court is currently evaluating the constitutionality of the President's use of emergency statutes to impose unilateral tariffs, which the speaker believes is inconsistent with Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, granting Congress the power to enact taxes and tariffs. The speaker argues that at the American founding, taxes on tea (tariffs) were a contentious issue, leading to the constitutional provision that only elected representatives can impose import tariffs. The speaker advocates for free trade with free nations, with the exception of China, where decades of trade abuses necessitate a firm stance.

The Quality of American Democracy and Fiscal Responsibility

Confidence is expressed in the quality of American democracy, with the American people cherishing representative government and the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. The speaker's personal experiences traveling across the country and living in the heartland have reinforced the deep love Americans have for their Constitution. The speaker notes that elections since January 6th have proceeded without significant controversy, with reforms at the state level.

On the issue of public debt, the speaker cautions against ignoring it as a real threat to the long-term security and prosperity of both nations. The US national debt has ballooned to $38 trillion, with interest payments on the debt now exceeding national defense spending. The speaker urges the UK to lead on fiscal reforms to put nations on a sustainable path, emphasizing a moral obligation to lift this debt burden from future generations.

Addressing Perceptions of US Democracy and Foreign Policy

In response to perceptions of internal democracy under threat in the US, the speaker reiterates confidence in the American people's cherishing of their democracy and republic. January 6th is described as a "day of tragedy" that became a "triumph of freedom" due to the reconvening of Congress to complete their work. The speaker acknowledges criticisms of their own actions on that day but believes the overwhelming majority of people in their party and across the country are grateful for the peaceful transfer of power.

Regarding the engagement with Saudi Arabia, the speaker notes that the first international trip of the Trump administration was to Riyadh. The Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and two Arab nations, are highlighted as a positive outcome. While expressing concerns about the sale of F-35 aircraft to Saudi Arabia and ensuring that this advanced technology does not fall into China's hands, the speaker hopes that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords, which could herald a new season of peace in the region. The speaker would not have stated that the Crown Prince knew nothing about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and believes in engaging with sovereigns as they are found, while never casting aside a commitment to freedom of the press.

Immigration Policy and National Sovereignty

On immigration, the speaker clarifies that the concern is about perceptions of open borders in the UK and other European nations, not foreign interference. The "Remain in Mexico" policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico, is presented as a successful measure to secure the southern border and end asylum abuse. The speaker asserts that "a nation without borders is not a nation" and that immigration should be an invitation for people to come and become citizens, embracing national ideals. The speaker believes the US immigration system is broken and advocates for securing borders, stopping illegal immigration and illicit drugs, and reforming the system to be based on merit and to meet the country's needs.