Munich Security Conference

📢 After over 2 years as our Vice-Chair, Rainer Rudolph is returning to Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany and will take up a new posting as German Ambassador to Kosovo. His dedication, strategic insight, and international perspective have left a lasting mark on our work! https://lnkd.in/epme-jdA

Two days of meaningful conversations just ended. Here are some key reflections from the #MLMAlUla discussions ⬇️ 1⃣ The 20-point initiative is only the beginning — a credible path toward peace remains essential. This process will require patience, persistence, and partnership. 2⃣ There is fragile momentum in countries such as Syria and Lebanon. Discussions showed that there is an opportunity to transform this momentum into tangible progress. Doing so will require practical support and cooperation. 3⃣ Cooperation is key. There is strong potential for deeper regional and cross-continental partnerships, including on trade, energy, and supply chain security. In the coming days, we will share a more detailed analysis capturing the main themes and insights from the discussions in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.

As always, the devil is in the detail. On Day 1 of #MLMAlUla, participants welcomed Trump's peace plan as an important opportunity that must be seized, while noting that many elements still need to be worked out. Discussions explored current windows of opportunity in Lebanon and Syria, emphasizing the importance of regional and international support for their paths toward stabilization. Spoilers, notably foreign meddling and the resurgence of ISIS, could easily derail these processes. Participants also underlined the need for a more stable security architecture for the Red Sea region, reaffirmed the MENA region’s continued central role in the global energy landscape, and noted its strong potential for renewable resources and clean technologies. Further exchanges focused on the regional nuclear order, stressing the importance of upholding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the rules-based order to prevent proliferation. Finally, discussions on Russia’s war against Ukraine highlighted differing regional perspectives but also opportunities for cooperation on recovery and reconstruction.

What role does the Middle East play in an evolving international order? The opening session of the Munich Leaders Meeting in AlUla brought together leaders from Jordan 🇯🇴, Egypt 🇪🇬, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, and France 🇫🇷 to discuss shifting power dynamics, strategic competition, and opportunities for regional cooperation. In his Welcome Remarks, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger highlighted: “With the latest US proposal on Gaza, there is a glimmer of hope for a diplomatic solution. Many challenges remain, and progress will require strong political support and cooperation among key actors. We hope this event can contribute to advancing such efforts.” The panel discussion focused on the Trump's peace plan, the momentum it has created, and the details that remain to be clarified. Participants also spoke about current windows of opportunity in Lebanon and Syria, emphasizing the need to support national governments to ensure sustainable stabilization. #MLMAlUla

"Global politics is not just shaped by policy papers, but by trust, relationships, and the courage to keep talking — even when it's uncomfortable." For Nardine Luca, this belief has guided her six-year journey at the Munich Security Conference and continues to shape her work fostering dialogue in one of the world's most complex regions. In her current role, Nardine serves as Project Lead for the Middle East Consultation Group (MECG), an MSC initiative that convenes active and former high-level policymakers and experts from across the Middle East and beyond. From setting the agenda to curating participants and ensuring that discussions feed into the broader MSC process, she guides every step of this complex and high-stakes effort. “The Middle East is one of the most complex regions in the world, and right now dialogue is more needed than ever,” Nardine explains. For her, the MECG provides a discreet and trusted space for that. Balancing sensitivities and competing priorities is one of the toughest challenges in her work. Yet for Nardine, the reward is clear: seeing dialogue unfold where many thought it was impossible, watching divides narrow, and witnessing new channels of diplomacy open up. To young professionals hoping to build a career in diplomacy and security, her advice is clear: be endlessly curious, act with integrity, and never underestimate the power of teamwork. “No task is too small — every detail can make the difference in shaping meaningful outcomes.” Looking ahead, Nardine sees the MSC’s future increasingly in discreet, focused, and continuous formats like the MECG. In an era of fragmentation, she believes keeping dialogue alive is harder — but also more essential than ever. Since late 2024, the MECG has brought together policymakers and experts from the region to address challenges and explore pathways to sustainable peace. This week, we build on this momentum as we gather in Saudi Arabia for #MLMAlUla. #BehindTheScenes #work #diplomacy #jobs #CareerChoice #MSCareer

From buzzing metropoles to remote deserts: What special location have we chosen for our upcoming Munich Leaders Meeting? 👇 Next week, we will bring together senior decision-makers and experts in the ancient Saudi Arabian oasis of AlUla for two days of discussions on regional dynamics, international conflicts, and shared challenges such as climate, energy, and human security. In line with our mission to engage on the most pressing global issues, we convene debates in places of significant geopolitical relevance around the world. In recent years, policymakers have joined us in Washington, D.C., Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, and Tokyo. Our meeting in AlUla takes place against the backdrop of major regional conflicts and crises that challenge international engagement and diplomacy. Open, direct, and confidence-building exchanges within this region are more important than ever. Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly central hub for diplomatic mediation efforts and initiatives. AlUla, a crossroads of cultures and travelers for centuries, offers a unique, sheltered setting for serious discussions. 📽️ Watch the trailer below for a first look at what's ahead — and follow for insights from #MLMAlUla.

Our first-ever Women Parliamentarians Program (WPP) Annual Meeting brought together parliamentarians from all cohorts of the program for four inspiring days in New York City. 🗽 Over the course of 16 expert-led conversations, the parliamentarians exchanged views, challenged assumptions, and sparked fresh ideas in foreign and security policy to take back to their constituencies.   The discussions tackled some of today’s most urgent topics: shifts in multilateralism, the reality of democratic backsliding, and the pivotal role of the 80th UN General Assembly. With experts joining from multilateral organizations, the private sector, NGOs, and journalism, every session offered a unique perspective and sparked lively debate just days before the #UNGA80 High-Level Week.   The sessions underscored the value of this new format, providing a platform for substantive dialogue across borders and backgrounds — whether in formal roundtable discussions or in more informal settings, such as a ferry ride down the East River.   We look forward to seeing how these new connections and insights will shape future initiatives. #WPPinNYC

🇪🇺 Europe must speak with one voice.   On the occasion of the recent recognition of Palestine by several states, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger spoke with phoenix Deutschland about the urgent need for a common European approach to the Middle East:   “From the outside, Europe is too often perceived as 27 small states, each with its own position. The central goal of German foreign policy — and of Europe’s policy toward the Middle East — must be to restore a situation in which Europe speaks with one voice on strategic questions. Here, Germany can and must play a central role.” Next week, we will travel to AlUla, Saudi Arabia, for our next Munich Leaders Meeting. With this format, we hope to contribute to the ongoing efforts to foster dialogue and explore pathways to peace and cooperation in the region. #MLMAlUla   👉 Watch the interview (in German) here: https://lnkd.in/d89hPpgh

The Merz government has claimed the mantle of Europe’s defense leader. But leadership requires more than higher defense spending.   In a new Munich Security Analysis, Dr Nicole Koenig and Leonard A. Schütte argue that Germany must pass three key tests if it is to truly lead on European defense:   1️⃣ Support for Ukraine 2️⃣ Driving defense industrial cooperation 3️⃣ Helping fund Europe’s rearmament   👉 Explore their full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eZwGtqis