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... The organizers of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) did not hesitate to name one world leader who they think is behind the current "period of wrecking-ball politics."

"The most powerful of those who take the axe to existing rules and institutions is US President Donald Trump," they wrote in the Munich Security Report 2026released on Monday.

The release came as organizers announced that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead "a sizable delegation" of officials to the MSC this weekend.

Ischinger sees 2 core tasks for this year's MSC

Conference chairman Wolfgang Ischinger spoke to DW on Monday, before the annual event opens its doors in the Bavarian capital.

He said he saw two core functions for this year's MSC, the first he likened to a "bicycle repair shop," oiling the chain and getting trans-Atlantic ties rolling again after a tense few weeks.

"Part of our mission, I think, is to at least offer the possibility of repair work in terms of rebuilding, trust, confidence building, et cetera among trans-Atlantic partners. Obviously, trust has been damaged. Think of Greenland," Ischinger told DW's Nina Haase.

The MSC will bring together about 65 world leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with nearly 100 foreign and defense ministers, top military brass and high-level policymakers for three days of discussions. ...