Emergency Episode: European Security after the Munich Conference

Emergency Episode: European Security after the Munich Conference

From State of Play by Center for Strategic and International Studies

February 18, 2026 · 17 min

About this episode

Max Bergmann discusses European security and transatlantic relations following the Munich Security Conference.

Max Bergmann shares his key observations about transatlantic relations after attending the Munich Security Conference. He discusses how European leaders reacted to Secretary Rubio’s speech, the U.S. strategy for Europe, and the ongoing challenges of shifting the defense burden from the United States to Europe. Max Bergmann, “How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America,” (video) CSIS, November 5, 2025. Max Bergmann and Otto Svendsen, “How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America,” (report) CSIS, October 8, 2025.

People in this episode

Guest: Max Bergmann

Topics covered

  • European security
  • transatlantic relations
  • Munich Security Conference
  • U.S. strategy for Europe
  • defense burden

Keywords

  • European security
  • Munich Security Conference
  • transatlantic relations
  • defense burden
  • U.S. strategy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS

Books & works: How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America

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