The 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) concluded on Sunday after leaders from the United States and Europe clashed for days over the future of the transatlantic partnership and the global order, laying bare their rifts.
The Munich Security Report 2026 describes the current era as one of the "wrecking-ball politics", saying political forces favoring destruction over reform are gaining momentum across many Western societies, driven by disenchantment with the performance of democratic institutions and a loss of trust in political course correction.
Many European delegates have arrived in Munich with heightened unease over U.S. Vice President JD Vance's sharp criticism of Europe at last year's conference, as well as U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex Greenland and impose sweeping tariffs.
Vance, in his speech last year, argued that Europe's greatest threat came "from within" and accused European governments of curbing free speech and mishandling migration, which drew sharp criticism from European officials.
On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a noticeably softer tone, stressing in his speech historical and cultural ties, saying the United States and Europe "belong together."
However, he did not back down from underlying U.S. demands that European countries change course on several fronts, including assuming more responsibility for their security. His speech also advanced controversial positions, dismissing climate initiatives as a "climate cult" and criticizing Europe's migration policies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking after Rubio, did not explicitly name the United States but warned that "the European way of life -- our democratic foundation and the trust of our citizens -- is being challenged in new ways, on everything from territories to tariffs or tech regulations."
Her remarks were widely seen as a veiled reference to disputes over digital regulation, U.S. tariffs, and Trump's statements on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
"Europe must become more independent -- there is no other choice," von der Leyen concluded.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered an equally stark diagnosis on Friday, saying a "deep divide has opened between Europe and the United States," stressing that Europe "does not believe in tariffs and protectionism, but in free trade."
Georgios Pappas, a reporter of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation in Germany said the close bond between Europe and the United States is now defunct.
"That's the big problem, the unpredictability of President Donald Trump and his administration. But I think there's something deeper going on here. It's not just temporary. What is happening now is a deeper divide between the two, between Europe and the U.S. Compared to what we have known until now, that is, this close relationship between the two major Western blocs, this relationship no longer exists, and we are witnessing the development of a new relationship between Europe and the U.S.," he said.
Outside the meeting venue, multiple anti-war organizations staged a demonstration in central Munich on Saturday to protest the 62nd MSC, with thousands of participants criticizing an increasing militarization of the forum and calling for resolving international disputes through dialog and negotiation.
Gathering in downtown Munich, the protesters warned that continued emphasis on military agendas would heighten regional tensions and fuel an arms race, calling for reductions in military spending, a halt to military expansion, and a return to a collective security framework grounded in international law.
"Our demand is that the defense budget should not be inflated in this way, as is currently being demanded by the federal government. We are also against the reintroduction of compulsory military service, and the basis for this is the requirements of the UN Charter, which provides for the renunciation of violence between states and the obligation to resolve conflicts between states through dialog," said Heinz Michael Vilsmeier, spokesman of the rally organizer.
The protesters view the continuous increase in military spending and expansion of arms investments may squeeze resources from areas such as social security and climate governance.
For them, security should not be equated solely with military expansion, but should also encompass social security and sustainable development.
"We are against militarism in general, and of course in practice this means negotiating instead of shooting. And our campaign is now called 'move the money from war to peace' as the money that goes into militarization is taken away from social security, which is already under threat, especially for us women. It distracts from climate change and generates profits for the big arms companies. And we consider that to be extremely problematic," said Heidi Meinzolt, a protester.
Munich Security Conference lays bare US-Europe rifts over alliance, global order
Munich Security Conference lays bare US-Europe rifts over alliance, global order
