The 2026 MSC report warned that the most serious threat to the liberal international order may now be internal, pointing to shifts in U.S. foreign policy that challenge long-standing principles of multilateralism, rules-based trade, and democratic alliances. It cited growing unease in Europe, describing the transatlantic relationship as increasingly marked by “reassurance, conditionality, and coercion.”
The MSC report described a world facing “wrecking-ball politics,” where radical restructuring is replacing incremental reform. It noted declining trust in political systems and rising appeal of actors promising to tear down rather than improve existing structures.
Europe’s dependence on U.S. security guarantees was another key theme. While transatlantic ties remain central, the report urged Europe to build more autonomous defense capabilities as American support can no longer be assumed.
Elsewhere, the report cited rising concerns in the Indo-Pacific over U.S. reliability and China’s increasingly assertive behavior, contributing to global instability. Still, it suggested current turbulence may offer opportunities for long-stalled reforms and new partnerships.
Whether that translates into a more stable international order remains uncertain, the report concludes.
The Munich Security Conference, set to be held February 13–15, will bring together around 65 heads of state and government, along with hundreds of global policymakers, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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Source: Polish Radio, Euronews