News
Focus on conflicts in the Arab world: first Munich Security Conference meeting in Doha, Qatar
15 May 2013, by MSC
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) continues its successful MSC Core Group Meeting series in 2013 with a new regional focus on the Arabian Gulf; on 21 and 22 May, for the first time, the Munich Security Conference will meet in...
Monthly Mind May 2013 - The Capability Gap
26 April 2013, by Thomas Enders and Wolfgang Ischinger
In the years since the finance and debt crisis began, we in Europe have talked a great deal about our integration as a financial and currency zone. As committed Europeans, we support these efforts. At the same time, the...
First summit on European security and defence in Berlin
25 April 2013, by MSC
On April 25 and 26, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) will host the first “Future of European Defence Summit” under the aegis of Javier Solana, formerly General Secretary of NATO and EU High Representative for Foreign and...
Munich Security Conference welcomes agreement between Serbia and Kosovo
24 April 2013, by MSC
On the occasion of the agreement concluded in Brussels between Serbia and Kosovo, regarding measures for the long-term normalization of relations between the two states, the chairman of the Munich Security Conference and former...
"Building Mutual Security in the Euro-Atlantic Region: Report Prepared for Presidents, Prime Ministers, Parliamentarians, and Publics"
04 April 2013, by MSC
In a new report entitled "Building Mutual Security in the Euro-Atlantic Region", a high-ranking international Track II dialogue co-chaired by Des Browne, Wolfgang Ischinger, Igor Ivanov, and Sam Nunn and including...
The Munich Security Conference commemorates Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist
13 March 2013, by MSC
With the death of Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist we have lost a truly remarkable German patriot. Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist was born in Gut Schmenzin in Pomerania on July 10, 1922. As a young lieutenant of the Wehrmacht, Ewald von...
Monthly Mind March 2013 - Europe's Security, Europe's Responsibility
08 March 2013, by Wolfgang Ischinger
The integration of security policy continues to be one of Europe's key future challenges.
"Frank words on Iran and Syria" - Impressions from an MSC Junior Ambassador
06 February 2013, by Hanns Koenig
Lackeys and wrong-way drivers: The debate on Iran was a highlight of the MSC, our Junior Ambassador Hanns Koenig writes - and not always diplomatic.
A Sensational Dialogue
07 February 2013, by Ernst Hebeker
The 49th Munich Security Conference (msc) in the Bavarian capital ended with a surprise. The foreign minister of Iran, Ali Akhbar Salehi, announced that he would seriously consider the USA’s offer to enter into talks on Iran’s...
From Biden to Barnier - Impressions from a Junior Ambassador
03 February 2013, by Jonathan Hillman
Jonathan Hillman, one of the MSC Junior Ambassadors 2013, shares some of his impressions from the conference, including his favorite quotes.
Brent Scowcroft receives Ewald-von-Kleist Award
03 February 2013, by Daniel Furth
In the scope of a grandiose gala dinner, the Munich Security Conference honored Brent Scowcroft with the Ewald-Kleist Award. Scowcroft had a determining influence on the German reunification.
McCain: “No American presidential leadership on Syria”
03 February 2013, by Christoph Schwarz
At the Munich Security Conference, Republican Senator John McCain blasts U.S. President Barack Obama for lack of leadership on Syria.
Reform Rather Than Revolution
25 February 2013, by Angelika Schweiger und Daniel Furth
The delegates of the panel on "The Rising Powers and Global Governance" mostly agreed on how to change the structures of international politics–with one exception.
Biden: „We are not only able to, we are bound to stand together“
02 February 2013, by Lorenz Hemicker, Angelika Schweiger und Christoph Schwarz
With pathos for Europe, with realism towards Russia. America’s Vice President Joe Biden presented in Munich a description of the position of the US foreign policy. This time he did not proclaim a new start.
Desperately wanted: Anybody willing to act
02 February 2013, by Katarina Hanusova und Christoph Schwarz
The situation in Syria is dramatic, with no end to the violence in sight. Despite a basic consensus on the need to act, there is a lack of ground-breaking decisions to be followed up by actions.
Bad news for Europe’s competitiveness
02 February 2013, by Angelika Schweiger
Bad news for European competition. The revolution in unconventional energy production is generating a significant economic upturn for competitor USA.
Informal Exchange at the Buffet Table
02 February 2013, by Christine Hegenbart
As in previous years, the City of Munich hosted a reception for the participants of the Security Conference. Christine Strobl, Deputy Mayor of the Bavarian state capital, welcomed many national and international guests to the...
Right on Track: Europe and the Euro
02 February 2013, by Tatjana Vogt
Once again, the Euro crisis and worries about Europe’s future have made it on the agenda of the Munich Security Conference. Hosted by former World Bank President Robert Zoellick, the first panel of the day saw some cautious...
Twitter unites politicians and citizens
01 February 2013, by Katarina Hanusova
Social media serve as a catalyst for political participation
A Prelude to the Conference
01 February 2013, by Daniel Furth
Two civil wars raging in Mali and Syria, and a look at where U.S. foreign policy is headed: The 49th Munich Security Conference in the focus of the world’s attention.
Future meets experience – Munich Young Leaders Roundtable on Security Policy 2013 opened
01 February 2013, by Tatjana Vogt
On the eve of the 49th Munich Security Conference Wolfgang Ischinger welcomed this year’s Munich Young Leaders in the Bavarian metropolis. During the welcome dinner, the host encouraged these 25 selected leaders of tomorrow to...
Out today: a new issue of "The Security Times"
01 February 2013, by MSC
A very interesting new issue of "The Security Times" is now available for download - including pieces by Sanger, Perthes, Hayden, Ischinger, Trenin, Slaughter, Kaspersky and many more.
From the MSC: live stream, news pieces, and social media
01 February 2013, by MSC
From 1 to 3 February 2013, the Munich Security Conference will be offering information on the event for the public in a number of different ways.
Two blogs from Munich: "Munich Young Leaders" and "Strategic Europe"
01 February 2013, by MSC
Two blogs worth reading from the Munich Security Conference: the comments and analyses by our "Munich Young Leaders" and the "Strategic Europe" blog by Carnegie Europe.
"A coffee between enemies"
31 January 2013, by MSC
People who would normally avoid each other find themselves striking up conversations - A Deutsche Welle piece on the character of the Munich Security Conference.
"VP Biden Slated to Attend Munich Security Conference 2013"
24 January 2013, by MSC
Vice President Joe Biden's visit at the Munich Security Conference is a "meaningful political signal," Conference Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger said at a press conference previewing the next MSC...
The international dimension of organized crime: an elusive threat
23 January 2013, by Melina Meneguin-Layerenza
In the third essay of our Junior Ambassadors Melina Meneguin-Layerenza makes the case for treating transnational organized crime as a serious threat to international security.
Justified Hopes? Outlook to the 49th Munich Security Conference
25 February 2013, by Tobias Bunde
Wolfgang Ischinger discussed the key topics of the forthcoming Munich Security Conference with high-ranking German and international guests on 21 January 2013 at the Bavarian Representation in Berlin. The focus was on the...
Conflicts over Water - an Underrated Threat
21 January 2013, by Hanns Koenig
In the second essay by our Junior Ambassadors, Hanns Koenig argues that the international community should be more aware of water security as a key issue in security policy. After all, he writes, "a lack of access to clean and...
US Vice President Joe Biden to participate in the 49th Munich Security Conference
18 January 2013, by MSC
US Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Germany to participate in the 49th Munich Security Conference (February 1st to 3rd), the White House confirmed this morning in Washington, DC. It is the second time Biden takes part in...
Global Security 2.0 - International institutions urgently need an upgrade
18 January 2013, by Jonathan Hillman
In the first essay by our Junior Ambassadors, Jonathan Hillman argues that key international institutions are in urgent need of change. "Above all, the international community must reexamine the mechanisms it uses to address...
The fifth "Munich Young Leaders" group
17 January 2013, by MSC
For the fifth time, young foreign and security policy experts from almost 20 nations, the Munich Young Leaders, will come together during the Munich Security Conference. The Munich Young Leaders, which include young...
The first MSC Junior Ambassadors contest - an overview
16 January 2013, by MSC
This year, the Munich Security Conference will not only welcome politicians, experts, military leaders, NGO representatives, and CEOs, but, for the first time, three Junior Ambassadors: Jonathan Hillman, Hanns Koenig, and Melina...
A first look at topics and participants of the 49th Munich Security Conference
14 January 2013, by MSC
In early February, the world will again look towards Munich. In an interview with the news agency dpa, Chairman Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger gave a first preview of topics and participants of the 49th Munich Security...
49th Munich Security Conference to begin on February 1st
11 January 2013, by MSC
In three weeks, on February 1st, the 49th Munich Security Conference will begin at Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Once again, many of the key international decision-makers in foreign and security policy will come to Munich. Over the...
Participate in the Munich Security Conference – Apply to Become “MSC Junior Ambassador“
13 November 2012, by MSC
In the run-up to its 2013 edition, the Munich Security Conference is inaugurating the "Munich Security Conference Junior Ambassadors" program. By means of an essay contest, we want to give three dedicated students or...
"A Europe for the World"
25 October 2012, by MSC
In a piece for "Project Syndicate", MSC Kleist Award recipient Javier Solana assesses Europe's global role: "[E]ither we Europeans act in unity to confront the tremendous challenges presented by the tumultuous changes now...
From the Atlantic to the "Near East" - The Berlin Foreign Policy Forum
24 October 2012, by MSC
Yesterday the Körber Foundation, which together with the MSC organizes the "Munich Young Leaders" roundtable, convened the second "Berlin Foreign Policy Forum", including speeches by and debates with Guido...
Munich Calling - Bad for Europe: The Collapse of the EADS-BAE Merger Talks
17 October 2012, by Judy Dempsey
What hopes now for European Defense? The collapse of merger plans between BAE Systems, the British defense manufacturer that has strong commercial links to the U.S., and EADS, the French-German-Spanish consortium that owns...
Cyber Security Report 2012 veröffentlicht
18 September 2012, by MSC
Im Rahmen des Cyber Security Summit 2012 von Deutscher Telekom und Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz stellte Renate Köcher vom Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach vergangene Woche in Bonn den "Cyber Security Report...
Munich Calling - NATO: Whatever happened to nuclear disarmament?
14 September 2012, by Judy Dempsey
It is rare for NATO to agree over nuclear weapons and disarmament. These two issues have long created tensions in the transatlantic relationship. NATO has dealt with these divisions by either papering over them or postponing...
New Security Times cyber edition featuring articles by Sanger, Friedrich, Ilves
12 September 2012, by MSC
A new edition of the Berlin-based newspaper The Security Times has appeared today, including a Cyber Security Special featuring articles by New York Times reporter David Sanger, German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich and...
"Freedom, sovereignty and responsibility are inextricably linked" - speech given by Wolfgang Ischinger in Pristina on the occasion of the end of supervised independence
11 September 2012, by MSC
In the course of a festive ceremony on the occasion of the end of supervised independence of Kosovo, Wolfgang Ischinger spoke in Pristina yesterday. Ambassador Ischinger, the Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, used to...
"NATO, Russia, and the Nuclear Disarmament Agenda: Reflections Post Chicago"
11 September 2012, by MSC
In a new Policy Brief for the European Leadership Network (ELN), the former UK Secretary of State for Defence Des Browne and ELN Chief Executive Ian Kearns discuss NATO's nuclear policies and the state of NATO-Russia relations...
"Bundestag soll ein Wörtchen mitreden"
31 August 2012, by MSC
In einem Gastbeitrag für das Handelsblatt plädiert Wolfgang Ischinger dafür, "dass der Bundestag sich künftig das Recht nehmen sollte, bei Rüstungsexportentscheidungen von strategischer Bedeutung [...] ein Wörtchen mitzureden."
"The relationship between economics and security is again the principal issue"
20 August 2012, by MSC
In a noteworthy speech, Robert Zoellick, who participated in two panel discussions at the 2012 MSC, explores the connection between economics and security over the course of the history of U.S. foreign policy.
"The Rise of China: Strategic Responses for the U.S., the West, and the rest"
15 August 2012, by MSC
Former Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, who at the MSC 2012 debated on the panel on "America, Europe, and the rise of Asia", recently gave a speech at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs discussing the...
Voices
Deutsche Welle: "In Munich, diplomats despair over Syria civil war"
04 February 2013, by MSC
"The 22-month-long civil war in Syria dominated the agenda at the Munich Security Conference. Top diplomats could agree on one point: There's little chance that the conflict will end any time soon."
New York Times: "Official Says Iran Is Open to New Round of Nuclear Talks"
04 February 2013, by MSC
"MUNICH — Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that his country was open to a renewed offer of direct talks with the United States on its nuclear program and that it looked favorably on a proposal for a new round of multilateral...
Deutsche Welle: "Israel's Barak warns against a nuclear-armed Iran"
04 February 2013, by MSC
"Israel’s defense minister has warned that should Iran be allowed to develop atomic weapons it would lead to "nuclear terror." Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister has said Tehran is prepared for nuclear talks with the US."
The Guardian: "Russia and Iran meet Syrian opposition leader"
04 February 2013, by MSC
"Rare sign of progress as foreign ministers meet Moaz al-Khatib for first time, but death toll in Syria continues to rise."
AP: "Iran welcomes US willingness for direct nuclear talks, but doesn’t commit to accepting offer"
03 February 2013, by MSC
"MUNICH — Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday welcomed the United States’ willingness to hold direct talks with Tehran in the standoff over its nuclear program but didn’t commit to accepting the offer — insisting that Washington...
New York Times: "Syrian Opposition Leader Confers With U.S. and Russia"
03 February 2013, by MSC
"MUNICH — The leader of the Syrian opposition council, Sheik Ahmad Moaz al-Khatib, met here on Saturday with representatives of the United States and Russia."
AP: "Biden: US prepared to hold direct talks with Iran when its leadership ‘is serious’"
02 February 2013, by MSC
"The United States is prepared to hold direct talks with Iran in the standoff over its nuclear ambitions, Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday — but he insisted that Tehran must show it is serious and Washington won’t engage in...
dpa: "U.S. to stay engaged in Mideast despite domestic energy boom, says top official"
02 February 2013,
"At Munich Security Conference, Carlos Pascual, special envoy for international energy affairs, says U.S. will remain committed to security, peace and stability in the Middle East."
AP: Syrian opposition leader says he’s ready to sit down for talks with Assad regime
02 February 2013, by MSC
“We do believe in the power of the world and we would like to overthrow the regime by peaceful means,” al-Khatib said. But “as a gesture of goodwill we say, just to ease the pain of the Syrian people... we are ready to sit at the...
Foreign Policy: "Biden does Europe"
01 February 2013, by MSC
"Now he's going back at the start of the second [term]... to take stock of what we've accomplished over the past four years and to look at the agenda going forward," said Tony Blinken, Biden's outgoing national security advisor."
Judy Dempsey's Strategic Europe: "Can Munich Change the Transatlantic Relationship?"
01 February 2013, by MSC
"Every year, the same nagging question is raised, sometimes loudly, sometimes more discreetly at the Munich Security Conference (MSC). What can be done to strengthen or even rebuild the transatlantic relationship?"