(C) EU Observer

MUNICH — The 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) kicks off today, February 13 (local time), at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, marking a pivotal moment for the future of the transatlantic alliance. As the Trump administration continues to push disruptive foreign policy goals—including the controversial proposal to annex Greenland—this year’s forum is being viewed as a critical test of whether the traditional bond between Washington and its European allies can endure.

A Gathering of Global Power Players
The three-day event has drawn a high-profile crowd, including heads of state from over 60 countries and security officials from more than 120 nations. Key figures from the European Union include French President Emmanuel Macron, a leading advocate for European "strategic autonomy," and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who has been at the forefront of opposing U.S. territorial ambitions regarding Greenland.

Representing the United States is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends on behalf of China. The agenda is packed with urgent topics: European defense, the future of the Atlantic alliance, the strengthening of multilateralism, and the security implications of rapid technological advancement.

From "New Sheriff" to "Wrecking Ball" Politics
The atmosphere at this year's conference is palpably tense, following the shockwaves sent by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance during the 2025 gathering. At that time, Vance famously declared that "there’s a new sheriff in town," demanding that Europe take full responsibility for its own security while criticizing European policies on free speech.

The "2026 Munich Security Report," released earlier this week, captured this anxiety by describing the current era as one of "Wrecking Ball Politics." The report, authored by 13 European security experts, pointedly noted the irony that "the President of the United States, the country that did more than any other to shape the post-1945 international order, has now become its most visible destroyer."

Rubio: Bridge Builder or Enforcer?
All eyes are now on Secretary of State Marco Rubio. European diplomats are anxious to see if he will double down on the administration's aggressive rhetoric or attempt to soothe frayed nerves.

While the Trump administration has been confrontational, Rubio has historically emphasized the importance of transatlantic ties. Wolfgang Ischinger, President of the MSC Foundation and former German Ambassador to the U.S., noted that the large size of the American delegation—which includes over 50 members of Congress—suggests that despite the "crisis of trust," the relationship remains fundamentally significant to Washington.

An Alliance Under Pressure
Despite the friction, many analysts believe it is too early to write an obituary for the alliance. As Politico recently observed, "The alliance between the U.S. and Europe has been badly bruised, but it is not yet broken."

This weekend in Munich will determine if the "cracks" in the Atlantic bridge can be mended, or if the "wrecking ball" of modern geopolitics will swing once again.