The Munich Report Directly Accuses the United States of Undermining the International Order: The Cornerstone of European Security is Shaken.

On February 10, 2026, the annual report of the Munich Security Conference was released in Berlin. Titled "The Destroying," the document used unprecedentedly harsh language to directly target the United States. The report began by asserting that the world has entered an era of wrecking-ball politics, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump as the most powerful figure wielding an axe against existing rules and institutions. Released three days before the opening of the Munich Security Conference, the report set an anxious tone for the gathering of 65 heads of state and government, along with nearly a hundred foreign and defense ministers, in the Bavarian capital. This is not merely an academic assessment; it reflects the deepest collective fears of Europe's security elite regarding the future of transatlantic relations.

Wrecking Ball Politics: The Impact from Theory to Reality

The Chairman of the Munich Security Conference and former German Ambassador to the United States, Wolfgang Ischinger, left no room for ambiguity at the Berlin press conference. He clearly stated that the United States, which since 1945 had been more committed than any other nation to shaping, supporting, and defending the international order, now views this order as no longer serving its interests under its new leadership. Report data indicates that the U.S.-led post-war order, over 80 years old, is in the process of being dismantled. This dismantling is not an abstract concept; it is reflected in a series of concrete events: at the 2025 Munich Conference, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's fierce criticism of European leaders regarding censorship and immigration policies; the imposition of punitive tariffs by the United States on close European allies; threats of military action against NATO ally Denmark to seize Greenland territory; and accommodation toward Moscow regarding Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Analysts point out that Vance's speech in Munich on February 14, 2025, was a watershed moment. Having just entered Trump's second term a few weeks earlier, Vance's remarks set the tone for the turbulence of the following year. The report describes this new political climate as one where users of bulldozers, wrecking balls, and chainsaws are often cautiously admired, even openly celebrated. The deeper reason lies in the erosion of public trust in institutions within Western democracies, where parties promising radical change are gaining momentum. In France, 60% of respondents believe their government's policies will leave future generations worse off, with the figures at 53% in the UK, 51% in Germany, and 45% in the United States. This widespread sense of powerlessness and apocalyptic mood provides fertile ground for destructive politics.

The Rift in Transatlantic Trust and Europe's Strategic Dilemma

The report uses the term "unstable" to describe the partnership currently felt in Europe, which oscillates between reassurance, conditionality, and coercion. Ischinger admitted to Deutsche Welle that one of the core tasks of this year's conference resembles a bicycle repair shop—oiling the damaged transatlantic relationship to get it running again. He acknowledged that trust has been damaged, citing the Greenland incident as an example. On February 10, Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, attempted to counter the report's tone, emphasizing that the United States is not trying to dismantle NATO but rather aims to make it stronger by urging allies to increase their contributions. Whitaker stated: "We are not asking for European autonomy; we are asking for Europe to be strong and expecting you to do more."

However, Europe's anxiety is rooted in more specific strategic realities. Citing the former Prime Minister of Poland, Ischinger stated: The Bible does not say that 450 million Europeans need 350 million Americans to defend against 140 million Russians. This reflects an intense internal debate in Europe: after 80 years of relying on the U.S. security umbrella, whether and how Europe can achieve strategic autonomy. The report notes that many European governments are adopting a dual-track approach: on one hand, striving to keep the United States closely engaged; on the other hand, building stronger independent operational capabilities through measures such as rearmament. Germany has decided to permanently deploy an armored brigade in Lithuania, and multiple European countries have significantly increased defense spending in response to NATO's new expenditure targets. However, from industrial base to joint operational capabilities, Europe still has a long way to go before achieving genuine strategic autonomy.

The Domino Effect of the Global Order

The shockwaves from the recalibration of U.S. foreign policy extend far beyond Europe. The report notes that the U.S. abandonment of core elements of the existing international order is intensifying pressure on an already strained global system, affecting everything from the World Trade Organization to humanitarian aid systems. In the Indo-Pacific region, partners face growing uncertainty: China is pushing for dominance, while U.S. commitments appear increasingly unpredictable. This uncertainty undermines the ability of regional countries to counter China's increasingly coercive behavior, leading to a more unstable environment.

On the Ukraine issue, Washington's wavering support and shifting security signals are deepening Europe's fears at a time when Russia is intensifying military and hybrid attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the Munich Conference, and the message he brings will be starkly different from that of 2025. The report warns that Europe must prepare for a scenario where U.S. support remains crucial but is no longer taken for granted. This fundamental uncertainty is reshaping global alliance networks, fostering new partnerships in trade, security, and technology aimed at ending Europe's unilateral dependence on the United States. The European Union is seeking to reduce its reliance on the United States and China in the defense sector, building more resilient supply chains and an industrial base.

The Game and Future on the Munich Conference Table

The participant list for the 2026 Munich Security Conference itself presents a microcosm of the political landscape. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a substantial delegation, including approximately 50 members of Congress. Unlike last year, Vice President Vance will not be in attendance. Ischinger noted that he expects Rubio to focus on U.S. foreign policy rather than matters outside his purview. However, nearly half of the American delegation will consist of Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This international display of domestic political division further underscores the fragility of continuity in U.S. foreign policy.

Another sensitive issue is the participation of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Ischinger confirmed that three AfD policy experts, including Bundestag member Rüdiger Lucassen, will attend. He clarified that this decision was not due to pressure from the United States but was based on the political reality that the party has become the largest opposition party in Germany. Ischinger emphasized that his sympathy for the AfD is close to zero, but as the chairman of a private dialogue forum, he must acknowledge the political reality. This reflects the complex interaction between the rise of populist forces in Europe and the mainstream establishment, and it also illustrates how the boundaries of security dialogue are being redrawn.

The report ultimately presents a sharp paradox: supporters of disruptive politics hope to break established systems to overcome political deadlock, but in the long run, the result may be a shift in global politics toward transactional, interest-driven directions. The report warns: ironically, this would create a world that favors the wealthy and powerful, rather than those who place their hopes in wrecking-ball politics. The discussions in the Munich conference hall will revolve around a core question: as old structures are shaken, will the world slide toward a more unstable future dominated by pure power politics, or can it leverage this shock to build a framework for a fairer, more resilient new order? The answer will determine the global security landscape for decades to come.