Present at the Re-Creation
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In his Nexus Lecture 2025, ‘Present at the Re-Creation: Restoring the Promise of America in the World’, Secretary Antony Blinken stressed the need for America to cooperate internationally, and to look beyond its immediate self-interest. Not only out of solidarity with humanity as a whole, but because it would be best for the US as well. The key to success in modern international relations, Biden’s Secretary of State argued, lies in the concept of enlightened self-interest: the notion that the strength of other countries is also one’s own. According to Blinken, this way of thinking animated the American Century, but is now under siege. How can the United States rededicate themselves to the power of enlightened self-interest? And what will happen to the liberal world order if they don’t?
Blinken’s reflection is now available on paper, as a special ninth edition in our Cultura Animi series. This beautiful hardbound publication contains the full Nexus Lecture, along with a complete transcript of the Q&A that took place after. The text of the lecture is preceded by an extensive introduction by Nexus president Rob Riemen. Cultura Animi IX is part of our English 2026 membership, so Nexus members will automatically receive the publication at home.
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Index
Introduction
Before Blinken’s lecture, Nexus founder and president Rob Riemen spoke his words of welcome. In his introduction, Riemen reflects on the deep connection between European humanism and the art of diplomacy, and on the way in which this connection shows itself in the life and work of Erasmus – icon of Rotterdam, where the lecture took place –, but also of Blinken’s stepfather Samuel Pisar.
Erasmus was convinced that every conflict between individuals or peoples could be solved without violence but instead by mutual indulgence, because all such conflicts lie in the domain of the human being.
Present at the Re-Creation: Restoring the Promise of America in the World
Nexus Lecture 2025The Nexus Lecture 2025, delivered on 11 November 2025 in Rotterdam.
This American Century system of success — enlightened selfinterest in our relations with others, smart investments in ourselves, a welcome mat for the world’s best and brightest — has been under siege for the past decade.
A Public Conversation with Antony Blinken
After the Nexus Lecture, the audience had the opportunity to ask a few questions, which were answered extensively by Blinken. Dutch diplomat and former politician Sigrid Kaag kicked off with a ‘question of conscience’ on America’s actions in relation to Gaza. Other topics discussed were the American attitude towards Russia, the position of Europe within the international order and the importance of culture in the world of diplomacy.
I believe very much in […] the power of music — or the arts, more generally — to do something that sometimes diplomats, politicians, leaders simply can’t do. Which is to break down barriers of language, of geography and policy, and connect people on the most basic human level.