Interest in this year's Munich Security Conference is at a record high. Around 60 heads of state and government are attending, as are many ministers from around the world and a host of defense and security experts. Everyone will be packed into the luxury Bayerischer Hof hotel, where, to the relief of many, this year it will not be J.D. Vance who will give the keynote address, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He is seen by many as less confrontational than Vance and more friendly towards Europe. The hope is that last year's speech, which was more like a lecture, will not be repeated.
Threats from Trump
At the time, leaders were told that the biggest security threat came not from Russia or China, but from within Europe. They were also criticized for failing to control migration and threatening freedom of expression.
Vance's speech was just the beginning of a tumultuous year. President Donald Trump has since threatened - and imposed - high tariffs on a wide range of countries, made it clear that Europe must take responsibility for its own security, and withdrawn support for Ukraine.
Not least, he has laid claim to Greenland, which has shaken many allies, especially Denmark. After Donald Trump's visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos a few weeks ago, the level of conflict has been reduced, but many are wondering whether the United States can be trusted any longer.
Axe wielders
In a report ahead of this year's conference, the organizers have decided to address the elephant in the room. It describes how well-established partnerships are being dismantled and how the United States' role in the world has changed.
"The most powerful of those taking the axe to existing rules and institutions is US President Donald Trump," the report states.
For three days, politicians from both sides of the Atlantic will give speeches, meet in debates and, above all, have a number of bilateral meetings and conversations in the corridors.
Maria Davidsson/TT
Facts: Munich Security Conference
TT
This year's edition of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) takes place February 13–15 and opens with a speech by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
More than 1,000 people are participating, including around 60 heads of state and government, many ministers and foreign and security experts. Around 120 countries are represented.
The US delegation is led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and includes around 50 members of Congress and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Participants also include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran.
