Marco Rubio defines national power in statement shared by U.S. Embassy

The United States Embassy in Tirana has shared a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the foundations of national power. Rubio emphasized that foreign policy is inseparable from economic strength, border control, energy security, and the ability to secure strategic resources.

Rubio stated, “A country that is not able to build ships, produce medicines, control immigration, or ensure access to vital resources, cannot protect its people, cannot protect its interests, and cannot protect its way of life.” He argued that a nation's strength is tied to its capacity for domestic production and resource management.

While the statement does not explicitly name a specific government, its release coincides with ongoing political instability and protests in Albania, where demonstrators have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The remarks highlight a contrast between the U.S. definition of state strength and the current economic and industrial challenges facing Albania, including its reliance on imports and energy vulnerabilities.