Munich Security Conference

Joining us for this discussion, moderated by Gordon Repinski, are US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar, Dean of PSIA Sciences Po @aranchagonzalez.bsky.social, and MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger.

Munich is all about dialogue. But which topics will shape the agenda of #MSC2026? Join our Kick-off Townhall live online as we discuss the pushback against the post-1945 order and Europe’s strategic options.

🗓️ February 9, 12 p.m. (CET)
📺 youtube.com/live/f2wqxMM...

⚡ From February 12 to 14, alongside #MSC2026, the BMW Foundation Energy Security Hub will address energy transformation as both a societal and strategic imperative.

You cannot attend in person? All sessions will be streamed live. Register now ⬇️
securityconference.org/en/msc-2026/...

#MSC2026 will be guided by one principle: meaningful dialogue. On stage or behind-the-scenes, we expect participants to engage respectfully and listen actively.

🤝 The Munich Rule makes our main conference a space for real conversation—even on the most difficult issues.

Our Women Parliamentarians Program returns for its 4th edition, uniting 13 young female decision-makers from 12 countries.

At #MSC2026, they'll meet for a tailored program, followed later in the year by the WPP Annual Meeting and other MSC events.

🔗 securityconference.org/en/msc-women...

The Open Door

1️⃣ week from now, we will once again open our doors for a weekend of constructive dialogue about today's most pressing security issues.

Tune into Ep. 5 of our "Munich Moments" podcast to find out how the MSC has brought together allies and adversaries across decades. 🎧

You can't attend #MSC2026 in person? Good news: You can still follow everything that's happening!

📲 Sessions will be streamed live on our website and covered on social media. Stay tuned!

So much happens at #MSC2026 —from impactful debates to unexpected moments. Again this year, @ForeignPolicy has us covered with a special daily pop-up newsletter to cover all the insights you won’t want to miss.

Follow along and stay up to speed ⬇️
link.foreignpolicy.com/join/msc-26?...

🏆 Congratulations! We present this year’s John McCain Dissertation Award to Lucas Hellemeier for his outstanding thesis entitled "The Political Economy of European Defense: Markets, Missiles, and the Pursuit of Autonomy".

See you at #MSC2026!

In his interview with Martin Bialecki from @ipq.bsky.social, Wolfgang Ischinger argues that Europe’s fragmented defense industry weakens the EU—and that stronger domestic capabilities are key to relying less on the US.

🔗 ip-quarterly.com/en/we-have-g...

Join us on the eve of #MSC2026 for our inaugural European Defense Townhall—a pan-European dialogue initiative bringing together citizens and media with decision-makers to debate Europe’s security.

Register now ⬇️
securityconference.org/en/msc-2026/...

YouTube video by Munich Security Conference MSC CEO Benedikt Franke Answers your Most Searched Questions

Can you attend #MSC2026? What happened in 2025 at the conference?

Tune in as our CEO @benediktfranke.bsky.social answers your most searched questions.

Watch now! 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMZO...

For the first time, #MSC2026 will feature a #Ukraine House: a dedicated venue highlighting our continued support.

With partners like the Victor Pinchuk Foundation & Ukraine’s Presidential Office, it will offer space for the Ukrainian delegation, relevant dialogue, events & briefings.

A New Sheriff in Town

Just 2️⃣ weeks to go until #MSC2026!

Want to properly prepare? Get ready by revisiting some iconic “Munich Moments” through our podcast with @foreignpolicy.com.
This week in Episode 4: US Vice President JD Vance’s #MSC2025 address.

🎧 Tune in now!
open.spotify.com/episode/7rQR...

🎬 Join us when MSC Cinema brings geopolitics to the big screen.

By combining powerful films with expert panel discussions, we want to foster meaningful exchange among political leaders and the public alongside #MSC2026.

Registration required 👇
securityconference.org/en/msc-2026/...

Only 2️⃣ weeks to go until 1,000+ leaders will join us in Munich for #MSC2026.

The MSC Foundation is delighted to announce new contributions from Konstantin Sokolov, Ron Lauder, and STARK Defence.

🤝 Their support strengthens our mission to promote international dialogue and bolster the MSC as an independent and global forum for defense and security policy.

For #MSC2026, we’re partnering with TUM Venture Labs, UnternehmerTUM, and IHK München & Oberbayern to launch the MSC Startup Hub.

🚀 Our goal? Connecting innovators, policymakers, and industry to spark partnerships in areas such as AI and cybersecurity: securityconference.org/en/msc-2026/...

#MSC2026 is right around the corner! Here are some key details for you.

📽️ Want to join the global conversation on security? You’ll be able to follow nearly all sessions of our main program via livestream.

👉 Stay tuned for speaker announcements and agenda updates!

Only 2 weeks until #MSC2026. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates, agenda, and attendee information—straight from Munich to your inbox.

Subscribe now: newsletter.securityconference.de/en/

The Unipolar World

Are you more of a podcast person? Then check out Episode 2 of our "Munich Moments" podcast, which also takes a closer look at Putin's 2007 speech. (9/9)

🎧 Tune in now: open.spotify.com/episode/2y1J...

Selected Key Speeches, Vol. 3 Speech by President Vladimir Putin at the MSC 2007 and the reactions it sparked

📕 Want to find out more about how the people who were in the room recall Putin's speech?
 
Read "Selected Key Speeches, Vol. III", available on our website. (8/9)⬇️
securityconference.org/en/publicati...

↔️ Then-President of Estonia, @ilvestoomas.bsky.social, noticed something else: "The audience’s response to the speech strikes me to this day as the first real public manifestation of fundamental differences between Eastern and Western European perceptions of Russia and Putin." (7/9)

🤝 Klaus Dieter Naumann had been actively involved in efforts to establish channels of understanding, first with the Soviet Union and later with Russia, since 1988. "In more than two decades of attending the conference, I rarely anticipated a speech with as much tension." (6/9)

🌐 After relinquishing her seat to a well-known businessman with ties to Russia, @constelz.bsky.social followed the address from the back of the room:
 
"Putin’s invocation of 'multipolarity' was an announcement that Russia saw itself as a new pole—and in opposition to the West." (5/9)

🪑 Jaap de Hoop Scheffer was the NATO Secretary General at the time. He sat front row: "I remember that I felt off balance listening to what Vladimir Putin had to tell us. It was hard and 'Cold War' like uncompromising language." (4/9)

🗣️ Helga Maria Schmid listened to the speech not in the Main Hall, but next door. She was "familiar with Russian grievances regarding NATO enlargement, the US missile defense systems and complaints of Western states carrying out unilateral interventions without legitimacy." (3/9)

🗨️ Horst Teltschik, then-Chairman of the MSC, sat on stage next to Putin:
 
"The very first spontaneous comment set the tone, asking the Russian President whether his speech meant that we were facing a 'new Cold War.'" (2/9)

💭 A much-anticipated moment: Here's how people who were in the room for #Putin's first and only appearance at the Munich Security Conference perceived his 2007 speech. (1/9) 🧵

✨ We congratulate Sylvie Goulard on receiving the Ordo Socialis Prize!

At a time of profound political change, her commitment to social justice and a democratic Europe is especially vital.

We are proud to count her among the members of the MSC Foundation Council.