Briefing: Munich Security Conference 2024
Munich hosts the Security equivalent of “Davos” every year for defence and foreign policy leaders. The meeting is used to discuss global peace challenges and how best to secure them. Major crises in Ukraine and the Middle East and the comments made by a presidential candidate in the U.S. were major points of concern at the MSC of 2024.
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) featured many top global leaders: German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Conflicts, principally the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, dominated the conversation.
Questions on American resolve in supporting allies were at the forefront, especially after the inflammatory comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding NATO.
Uniquely, this MSC featured the Global South more, focusing on regional security threats.
Major players in attendance
On the eve of this year’s Munich Security Conference, high-ranking delegations were announced to be present such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, outlining that the forum was ready for hard-discussions on problems of world security.
Similarly, other key leaders were in attendance to help discuss options for peace like UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, China's Wang Yi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and many others.
Ongoing Conflicts Dominate the Agenda
Israel-Gaza
The war between Israel and Hamas was a headline item at the MSC. Discussions led by Vice President Kamala Harris, President of Israel Isaac Herzog, and Josep Borrell of the EU sought to find peaceful resolutions to the conflict. For instance, Josep Borrell brought forward the need for a political solution more than a military solution and referred to the difficult conditions in both Gaza and the West Bank with the necessity for a two-state solution. The conference emphasized the complexities of the call for restraint of hostility and the release of hostages by Hamas.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The discussions from the conference urgently sought increased support for Ukraine to help them combat Russian aggression. Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, pointedly emphasized the huge ramp-up of EU military aid to Ukraine, from helmets to F-16 jets, urging quicker, concerted action. His message focused on Ukraine's deepening crisis and the importance of the $60 billion in U.S. aid. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy appealed for urgent and significant military assistance and called on leaders such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron to help with long-term support in the face of Russian aggression.
US Resolve in Question
Congressional Delays
The conference highlighted the vital role of U.S. military aid for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, stressing concerns over any funding delays or shortages that might weaken Ukraine's defence capabilities. Anxiety was voiced by participants about the potential consequences of inadequate support, especially from the U.S. The discussions emphasized the urgency for sustained and increased support to bolster Ukraine's defence against Russia, advocating for quick approval of essential funding to maintain international security and stability.
Trumpian Rhetoric
The 2024 Munich Security Conference addressed concerns about the U.S.'s stance towards NATO and Ukraine,particularly in light of former President Trump's remarks on not defending NATO members who fall short of defense spending targets. Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) called for Europe's greater defence self-sufficiency and scrutinized the ongoing aid to Ukraine without a defined conflict resolution. Discussions also delved into the potential implications of Trump's return to the presidency on U.S. foreign policy and NATO's cohesion, questioning the U.S.'s reliability as an ally against Russian aggression and NATO's capacity to remain united.
Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed the U.S.'s staunch support for NATO, countering narratives of withdrawal and emphasizing America's enduring role in global security. This reassurance aimed to strengthen NATO's unity and the U.S.'s commitment, amidst concerns over varied U.S. administration approaches to alliance defence commitments.
Global South in focus
The conference put in perspective the urgent need to understand and consider the viewpoints of the Global South in the context of global security. The interdependence, between conceptions of security and environmental challenges, e.g., climate change, water, and food security, was highlighted. This underscored that security dialogue needed to shift from pure military concerns toward environmental degradation and migration.
Through the inclusion of representatives from Asia, Africa, and South America, the conference had diversification as its intention; the opening up of debate on security matters to a more inclusive one and thus acknowledging that there are mutual benefits required in working across the chasms of the modern world.