Special Issue | MSC 2025

Jörg Lau

How to Talk About European Security

The tradition of discussing European security in ways that befuddle bystanders is long-standing. This guide will help you navigate the debates that will inevitably take place at this year’s MSC.

Christoph Heusgen

“The Response Can Only Be: A Stronger Europe”

European countries haven’t done enough to improve their defense forces, says the chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen.

Editorial

Henning Hoff

Getting Europe’s Defense Right

In our special issue for the Munich Security Conference 2025 we focus on how to address the continent’s urgent defense tasks.

Cover Section

Nadia Schadlow

America First Does Not Mean Europe Alone

There is a chance for renewing the transatlantic relationship under the second Trump administration.

James Rogers

Kevin Rowlands

Geostrategic Rethink

Securing the future defense of the Euro-Atlantic in an Indo-Pacific era will be critical for Europe. A robust strategy is needed to keep the CRINK states―China, Russia, Iran, North Korea―in check.

James Hackett

Europe’s Defense Remains a Broad-Spectrum Task

The threat posed by Russia has spurred NATO and EU members to start rebuilding their military capabilities. Maintaining policy attention will be key.

Claudia Major

Jana Puglierin

Europe Needs a Ukraine Strategy

The Trump administration is likely to change course on Ukraine. Their options limited, the Europeans need to prepare for “deal” and “no deal” scenarios.

Aylin Matlé

Scaling up Weapons Production, Integrating Armed Forces

Europe needs to deepen its defense industrial base. And closer cooperation would enhance the continent’s defense posture, too.

Sander Tordoir

How European Defense Bonds Could Work

Common EU debt issuance does not create an off-the-shelf bazooka. Making bonds work implies inevitable trade-offs and requires real tax revenues.

Berlin Cable

Henning Hoff

What Will Germany Do Next?

The coalition-building after the election on February 23 is likely to become a moment of truth.

Pariscope

Joseph de Weck

Europeanizing France’s force de frappe

Extending France’s nuclear umbrella to the whole of Europe is an old idea which time has come.

Carbon Critical

Kira Vinke

Strength Through Sustainability

The defense industry should carve out future market shares for technologies that pay a double dividend to security, both directly through their application and indirectly through avoiding negative ripple effects.

Brussels Briefing

Rebecca Christie

No Power Struggle at the EU’s Security Table for Two

By appointing Andrius Kubilius defense commissioner alongside foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the European Commission has bet that more resources will lead to more action.

Warsaw Memo

Piotr Buras

Tusk’s Double Task Starts at Home

The Polish prime minister needs to juggle domestic constraints and European tasks. It will be a difficult balancing act.

The Wider View

Michael Werz

The New Age of Starvation

With Russia’s war against Ukraine, the weaponization of food has taken on a new global dimension. Nations need to rethink their approach to food security.