Opening the panel, AIIA National Executive Director Dr Bryce Wakefield set the strategic context from an Australian perspective, emphasising the growing importance of flexible, issue-based “minilateral” arrangements in responding to shared security challenges. His remarks followed an article he had published days earlier in Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

On the panel, Dr Wakefield noted that while debate in Munich centred heavily on strains in US–Europe relations, “the rift in trans-Atlantic relations was not quite the situation on our side of the world.” Stressing the difference between typical Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security frameworks, he underscored that the latter remain grounded in practical cooperation between middle powers whose foreign policies differ greatly, even amid intensifying geopolitical competition between larger countries.

Dr Wakefield was joined by Ambika Vishwanath (Kubernein Initiative and La Trobe University), who highlighted the environmental dimensions of security and India’s expanding engagement in the South Pacific; Malaysia’s National Security Advisor, Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin, who provided a Southeast Asian perspective; and Bertil Wenger (CDU), who offered a German response. The panel was moderated by Latika M Bourke of The Nightly.

Engagement Across the Conference

Reflecting on his first attendance at MSC, Dr Wakefield described it as “a very stimulating experience,” observing that “everyone’s experience at this conference is unique.” He characterised the conference as operating across “three main layers—the main speeches that are widely broadcast around the world, a dazzling smorgasbord of side events of all shapes and sizes, and separate bilateral meetings that you put together yourself.”

He added that beyond the formal program, “the opportunity to engage with key decision makers and the chance meetings in hallways” were among the most valuable aspects of the event, allowing him to connect with both new counterparts and longstanding colleagues.

Dr Wakefield also participated in the 20th Transatlantic Forum of the Christian Social Union (CSU), which featured European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Bavarian Minister-President Dr Markus Söder, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and senior US lawmakers. He recently examined Minister Wadephul’s visit to the Pacific in an article for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Discussions on the margins of the conference included informal discussions with Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister and EU Rapporteur on Australia Željana Zovko on Australian foreign policy and EU–Australia relations, as well as a brief hallway exchange on EU-Australia relations with President von der Leyen.

Transatlantic Debate in Focus

Debate over the future of US–Europe relations featured prominently at MSC. While some participants said they felt reassured by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s address, Dr Wakefield observed that others “felt it was the same content as JD Vance’s criticism in a softer tone,” adding, “I tend to agree with the latter view.”

He suggested that “history will likely find” German opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s speech—emphasising the rift between the US and Europe and calling on Europe to recognise the new reality—more consequential. He similarly pointed to von der Leyen’s stress on the European Union’s common defence mechanism as significant.

Dr Wakefield also highlighted California Governor Gavin Newsom’s “continued clarity of the need for world leaders to call out the deficiencies of the Trump administration,” and described French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks as among the strongest delivered at the conference, even if “typically Macron,” for their insistence on Europe standing up for itself.

Indo-Pacific leaders contributed to the discussion as well. Dr Wakefield welcomed Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles’ pushback “on the notion that rules are no longer observed in this world” and his indication that he was “comfortable” with the US administration’s Indo-Pacific approach. He also noted Japan’s Shinjirō Koizumi’s reassertion of the strength of the US–Japan alliance.

Looking Ahead

In addition to conference activities, Dr Wakefield visited the Bavarian Finance Ministry and held further meetings with German counterparts.

AIIA’s participation at the Munich Security Conference reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue between Australia, Europe and the Indo-Pacific at a time of significant geopolitical change.

The summit, held annually, has become one of the most prominent platforms for dialogue on Ukraine’s place in Europe and the global order. This year’s conference was marked by strong expressions of solidarity with Ukraine and an emphasis on the importance of securing lasting peace through Ukrainian strength and resilience.

For Wakefield, the summit was also an opportunity to engage with those most directly involved in the conflict. “It was invaluable to hear from Ukrainian commanders and veterans about the changing nature of the battlefield,” he said. “Equally important were the discussions with Ukrainian and international leaders about the practical steps required to provide peace and ensure that Ukraine can defend itself in the future.”

Wakefield described the war in Ukraine as “a defining issue of our moment.” He echoed the reflections of many on the panel that there could be no justification for the abrogation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and stressed that a lasting peace would only be possible with a strong and secure Ukraine. “There will be no lasting peace without a Ukraine capable of maintaining its own security once the fighting is over,” he said.

The conference was attended by a number of prominent Australians, reflecting Australia’s ongoing interest in the war in Ukraine. In addition to Wakefield, Former Leader of the Opposition and Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra Bill Shorten, Former Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds, and The Nightly Journalist-at-Large Latika Bourke were among the several Australians who travelled to the summit independently.

On 8 September, Wakefield met with Munich Security Conference (MSC) CEO Benedikt Franke to discuss avenues for cooperation between the AIIA and the MSC. In the days that followed, he also held discussions with members of the Australian business and diplomatic community in Germany as well as with representatives of the Bavarian government, focusing on Australia’s role in Europe and opportunities for closer collaboration.

On 13 September, Wakefield was invited to contribute to the Munich Security Conference Advisory Board Meeting in Kyiv, held on the sidelines of the Yalta European Strategy (YES) forum. The meeting brought together international experts to advise on the most pressing global security challenges.

He noted the importance of dialogue between Australia and Europe. “Europe and Germany both have Indo-Pacific strategies or guidelines. For those strategies to be effective, they must be informed by a deeper understanding of the unique and complex dynamics of our region. A closer dialogue with Australia can help sharpen their approaches and ensure that their policies contribute constructively to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.”

Wakefield also emphasised the value of Australia’s engagement with the MSC. “It is a pleasure for me to be developing closer relations with the Munich Security Conference. I have a close connection to Bavaria, having spent a year on exchange in Lower Bavaria as a high school student, and I still speak the local dialect. To be able to contribute to the MSC’s work now is particularly meaningful for me personally.”

Wakefield said it was an honour to be able to present an Indo-Pacific and Australian perspective at a conference that traditionally focused on the North Atlantic. “My sense is that there is a lot of interest in our region in Europe, but that Europeans, obviously preoccupied with their own security issues, are not sensitive to the unique and complex security dynamics of our region,” he said. “Better understanding will help them better develop their Indo-Pacific strategies, and I hope that Australian contributions to their discussion can help them do that.”

Wakefield noted in particular the importance of distinguishing the different forms of security architecture in different regions. “I don’t think a lot of Europeans quite understand that our region is not one that can provide collective security as easily as theirs, current tensions in NATO notwithstanding,” he said.

The conference also provided an opportunity to exchange views with leading thinkers working at the forefront of pressing global security issues. Present were several experts from the United States, with unique insights and interpretations of the Trump administration’s unfolding security strategy and approach to trans-Atlantic and global security. Wakefield noted the value of renewing connections and building new ties. “It was a pleasure to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. I am grateful to the KAS team for their excellent organisation of the event.”

Reflecting on the meeting, Dr Smith said: “It is great to see Chatham House fostering such deep knowledge on our region. Their analysis adds real value to the international conversation and helps strengthen understanding of the Indo-Pacific’s central role in global affairs.”

The AIIA and Chatham House share a deep historical connection, with AIIA branches founded from 1924 as part of the original network of institutes of international affairs headquartered at the London-based Royal Institute of International Affairs. The meeting served as another point of contact in this long-standing relationship, with both institutes dedicated to promoting informed debate and analysis on international affairs.

In addition to its important work informing Australians about international affairs, the AIIA works tirelessly to ensure Australian perspectives are present in the discussion of international affairs overseas.