Dear friends of peace,
“Westlessness” was the provocative title of the 56th Munich Security Conference, intended to invite reflection on the role of the West in the world. For me, the debate offered little substance. The title was frequently adopted. However, in my experience, negatively formulated titles rarely lead to positive visions or concrete common strategic concepts, but rather to fragmentation into diverse positions. This led to discussions about who exactly is meant by “West” – Europe, the EU, Europe plus America, NATO…..? – or what “West” even signifies: geographical, cultural, value-based aspects? Defense Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer described Europe as attractive. Secretary of State Pompeo stated that the West was winning.
Furthermore, I consider it unlikely that “WestFULLness” can solve the current challenges. Ultimately, the trust lost in recent years must be rebuilt worldwide (Trustfullness), and “a trustworthy West” would certainly be a helpful actor in this regard.
However, we seem far from that. While much was said about “Trust” at the last Security Conference, this year the word was replaced by “Confidence,” which means assurance or self-assurance. Concrete measures to rebuild trust are lacking, as are players willing to participate. What remains is confidence? Federal President Steinmeier critically remarked in his speech: “As if everyone is thought of when each person thinks only of themselves.”
There was extensive discussion about who is even allowed to sit at the table. In Europe, too, the widespread opinion is that only those who possess nuclear weapons or an otherwise well-equipped arsenal are taken seriously. Does not precisely this attitude lead to further armament in all countries and, consequently, to further insecurity instead of stabilization? I share the stance of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who stated in his notable speech: “It is impossible to create new world rules based on liberal values if only selected countries are invited to build upon them, those possessing a nuclear arsenal or a certain level of economic development. Humanity’s problems should be addressed by all members of humanity.”
A positive signal in this regard was the awarding of the Ewald von Kleist Award to the United Nations. The most visibly effective moment of the MSC 2020 was the conversation between the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia.
The broad spectrum of topics at the Munich Security Conference demonstrated the wide range of challenges humanity currently faces, with the agenda including, among others, the following topics:
Arctic Security, Nagorno-Karabakh, Coronavirus Outbreak, Cybersecurity, De-escalation in the Gulf, Digital Age, Drugs, Energy Security, Food, Women/Peace and Security, Health Security, Big Data, Iran, Cartels, Climate Change and Security, Artificial Intelligence, Libyan Conflict, Human Security, Palestine, Arms Control, Sahel, Security in the Balkans, Security Relations in Asia, Security in Saudi Arabia, Social Media and Democracy, Technological Security, Transnational Security Issues, Ukraine, US Foreign Policy, World Trade, Economic and Resource Security, Central Asia, State of Democracy in the West, Future of Disinformation, Future of Diplomacy
However, common agreements or commitments regarding concrete strategies for action were absent.
The rapid progress in technology development and the growing potential for influence through social media necessitate the formulation of international standards; politics is still at the beginning here.
The tasks of this decade demand flexibility in action and cooperation. It is essential to define: What is the problem? Who is involved? And what common strategies can those affected agree upon? Armenian President Sarkissian explained in his contribution on “Quantum Politics” the necessity of “thinking out of the box,” of developing entirely new approaches. The complex nature of today’s problems requires complex solutions – here too, politics is still at the beginning.
Where politics fails to make progress in cooperation and trust-building, NGOs, companies, and the public must lead the way. For example, ICAN Germany, among others, with its City Appeal, seeks to support the government with pressure from below, as it struggles to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, fearing to displease the current American administration. Greenpeace is a cooperation partner of the “Humanitarian Congress” organized by Doctors Without Borders, the German Red Cross, Doctors of the World, and the German Medical Association, which addresses the humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis. Mayors and municipalities are beginning to unite because the climate crisis is a global crisis. And among the population, there are worldwide activities such as Fridays for Future, One Billion Rising, and others.
We are all called upon to get involved, to become active. Our politicians need our support. We can no longer afford to leave them alone.
How might you contribute? We look forward to your reactions and send our regards!
Anja Ufermann
Certified Trainer for Nonviolent Communication
Board Member of the Project Group “Changing the Munich Security Conference” e.V.