Arda AKGÜL – Analysis
By calling “Davos of Defence”, Munich Security Conference is highly prioritized conference where security talks are held since its establishment, 1963. In 2024, 60th of the conference was held with participation of politicians, diplomats, and soldiers, under the risk of Europe’s security if Donald Trump wins the 2024 US elections; and influenced by Israel-Hamas War and Russia-Ukraine War.
What happened this year?
In 2024, Munich Security Conference was held on February 16-18. In these three days, Trump’s possible return to White House, Israel-Hamas War and Ukraine-Russia were main topics. However, on the first day of conference, Alexei Navalny’s death declared, and Western leaders blame the Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin for Navalny’s death. However, Russia has claimed Navalny died of natural causes. Navalny’s death is marked out in Conference, and Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, gave a speech as it was not planned as a part of Conference.
On Russia-Ukraine War, Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasized that this war is not only about Ukraine, but also about Western world. Military aid was also marked out by Zelensky in order to bring the permanent result. At the end of the day, United States and Western leaders stated their supports on Ukraine. However, Russian President Putin was not a participant of the Conference.
About the Israel-Hamas War, Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Kutz stated that Israel will work in coordination with Egypt. Some warnings on displacement of Palestinians out of the Gaza were stated by countries including United States. Though, Kutz’s stated that Israel will not run the Gaza region. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said Israel needs a politicalsolution to the conflict with Palestinians, not a military one. Also, two-state solution was stated by United Kingdom Foreign Affairs Minister David Cameron.
It is now easier for the Western world to see their support on Israel under certain conditions; children and women, in other words, humanitarian issues, also seem to be taken into account.
Some notes on security
Looking through the perspective, World security stability has been suffering due to conflicts, terror issues and wars. It was “kind of” possible to think for citizens of “safe places” if there might be conflicts all around the World, but these conflicts generally happen in where energy sources occur and, last but not least, where there are trade routes. In today’s world, you might pay high heating bills due to Russian-Ukraine War, or you would have been to pay more for your device due to a conflict in Pacific that makes trade process of semi-conductors more difficult. Therefore, not taking care of or paying attention to issues is not a prevailing behavior.
Resources:
Munich Security Conference – Munich Security Conference. (n.d.). https://securityconference.org/en/msc/
EU must strengthen its defence: Munich Security Conference. (2024, February 19). Euronews. https://www.euronews.com/2024/02/19/eu-must-strengthen-its-defence-munich-security-conference
Doucet, B. L. (2024, February 19). Munich security talks marked by global “lose-lose” anxiety. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68334715
Singh, N., Watling, T., & Gregory, A. (2024, February 21). Alexei Navalny death latest: UK first country to issue sanctions over killing of Putin critic in prison. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/alexei-navalny-yulia-navalnaya-putin-russia-b2499623.html
Israel will coordinate with Egypt on Palestinian refugees, not harm Egypt interests, Katz says. (2024, February 16). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-will-coordinate-with-egypt-palestinian-refugees-not-harm-egypt-interests-2024-02-16/
