Munich Security Report 2017: ‘Post-Truth, Post-West, Post-Order?’

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Publication Date February 2017
ISSN 2365-2187
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Over the past five decades, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) has become the major global forum for the discussion of security policy. Each February, it brings together more than 450 senior decision-makers from around the world, including heads-of-state, ministers, leading personalities of international and non-governmental organizations, as well as high ranking representatives of industry, media, academia, and civil society, to engage in an intensive debate on current and future security challenges.

In addition to its annual flagship conference, the MSC regularly convenes high-profile events on particular topics and regions and publishes the Munich Security Report. All its activities aim at offering the best possible platforms for a frank and open exchange of ideas and opinions.

In 2016, the MSC was once again named 'Best Think Tank Conference' in the world by an extensive University of Pennsylvania study.Is the world facing disorder and the rise of illiberal actors? Just ahead of the 53rd edition of the Munich Security Conference from February 17-19, the Munich Security Conference Foundation released the third edition of its annual report on key issues in international security.

Entitled Post-Truth, Post-West, Post-Order?, the Munich Security Report 2017 offers analyses, data, statistics, infographics, and maps on major developments and challenges in international security. The report aims to serve as a companion and conversation starter for the discussions at the Munich Security Conference 2017 and as background reading for participants. At the same time, it is also made available to the interested public.

Central topics of this edition include the crises of the international order and of liberal democracy as well as European security and defense policy. In addition, the report assembles information on the jihadist threat, the manipulation and weaponisation of information, and the security situation in the Pacific and the Middle East.

For this report, the Munich Security Conference, which was rated in 2016 the world's 'Best Think Tank Conference' by the University of Pennsylvania's 'Global Go To Think Tank Index' for the fourth year in a row, cooperated with numerous renowned institutions and think tanks. These include the International Crisis Group, IHS Markit, Chatham House, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Nuclear Threat Initiative, the Hertie School of Governance, and McKinsey & Company.

Key highlights:

+ An exclusive analysis by McKinsey & Company assesses and compares the number of major weapons system categories used by the armed forces of the United States and of European states: 178 in Europe, 30 in the US. The analysis also shows how the defense industry in Europe has consolidated over recent decades.

+ Projections by IHS Jane's Defence Budgets show that until 2020, defense expenditures will barely rise in Western Europe but will increase by more than 3% annually, on average, in Eastern European countries.

+ Analyses by multiple sources find that a mounting number of citizens who live in democracies believe in authoritarian solutions, and indicate a decline of freedom in the world.

+ Data compiled by IHS Conflict Monitor establish that only 20% of Russian air strikes in Syria in 2016 were targeted at Daesh/ISIS.

+ Exclusive polls on public opinion in Iran show: a majority of Iranians is convinced that European countries are moving slower than they could to trade and invest with Iran due to fear and pressure of the United States.

+ Newly assessed and in part unpublished data by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) illustrate the number of ceasefire violations in Ukraine as well as how the conflict parties have been obstructing the work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

+ Previously unpublished analyses carried out by the Hertie School of Governance compare the budgets and social media reach of state-funded public international broadcasters: Russia's RT and China's CCTV rank especially high. In recent years, these states have also made strides in expanding the global presence of state-funded cultural institutes.

+ New analyses by the International Institute for Strategic Studies' 'Military Balance 2017' show the current state of Russian missile capabilities in Kaliningrad as well as China's expanding naval capabilities. Moreover, an overview of the US presence in the Pacific is provided.

+ An analysis by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies and the Nuclear Threat Initiative documents North Korea's advancement towards a nuclear intercontinental missile that could reach the West Coast of the United States.

+ A framework of risk-enhancing factors created by Chatham House depicts how the outbreak of a deadly disease can evolve into a global pandemic. Chatham House also shows, based on WHO data, that 60% of all attacks on health care infrastructure since 2014 were deliberate.

Source Link http://report2017.securityconference.de/
Related Links
EurActiv, 14.02.17: Munich Security Conference: Start of a post-Western era? http://www.euractiv.com/section/security/news/munich-security-conference-start-of-a-post-western-era/
Deutsche Welle, 17.02.17: Guehenno: Europe should up defense spending, US should offer more than statements http://dw.com/p/2Xm9N
Politico, 17.02.17: 5 things to watch at this year’s Munich Security Conference http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-donald-trump-nato-marine-le-pen-defense-europe-us-5-things-to-watch-at-this-years-munich-security-conference/
Deutsche Welle, 17.02.17: Eight facts about the Munich Security Conference http://dw.com/p/2XlS
Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 18.02.17: Muddling Through European Defense http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/68045
Deutsche Welle, 18.02.17: UK minister: 'Defense is for NATO and not the EU' http://dw.com/p/2XoNy
BBC News, 18.02.17: US 'unwavering' in support for Nato allies, says Pence http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39014640
Deutsche Welle, 18.02.17: At Munich Security Conference, defense ministers mull NATO future http://dw.com/p/2XnuF
Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 19.02.17: Voices From the Munich Security Conference http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=68046
Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2017: Pence promises solidarity with Nato allies http://www.eurotopics.net/en/174714/pence-promises-solidarity-with-nato-allies
EU: EEAS: Press Release, 18.02.17: Speech by Federica Mogherini at the Munich Security Conference https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/20832/
Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 19.02.17: America’s Year, France’s Year http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/68049
ECFR: Podcast, 22.02.17: Debriefing MSC2017 with Wolfgang Ischinger http://www.ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/marks_world_in_30_minutes_debriefing_the_munich_security_conference_with_wo

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