History & Politics Dialogue: Munich Security Conference

2025 – Bandung at 70: Rethinking Neutrality, Sovereignty, and the Role of the UN in Times of Great-Power Politics

At the 61^st Munich Security Conference in February 2025, it became clear that a new world order is emerging. At a joint side event hosted by the Körber History Forum, the Körber Emerging Middle Powers Initiative, and The United Nations Association of Germany, international experts discussed the role of middle powers in the changing global order.

The discussion focused on the historical significance of the 1955 Bandung Conference (“Asian-African Conference”) and examined its present-day relevance. How can the Bandung Principles – neutrality, sovereignty, and multilateralism – help address current international crises and inform debates on the reform of the international system? The conversation also considered whether Bandung’s “Diplomacy-First” approach remains viable for today’s geopolitical challenges – especially amidst the rise of informal alliances such as BRICS. With the 80^th anniversary of the United Nations approaching in 2025, a key question emerged: Can the UN adapt to an increasingly fragmented international landscape in which regional organisations and informal groupings like BRICS are gaining influence?

The discussion also addressed the dynamics of geopolitical spheres of influence – particularly the evolving geopolitical rivalry between the US and China. Another focus was Southeast Asia as an example of peaceful conflict resolution, including the successful settlement of historical disputes between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Additionally, the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was highlighted as a vital platform for regional stability.

The debate was moderated by Florian Bigge, Programme Director of the Körber History Forum, and Julia Ganter, Programme Director of the Körber Emerging Middle Powers Initiative.

2024 – NATO’s Northern Front

NATO celebrated its 75th anniversary in April 2024. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and US historian Mary Elise Sarotte, author of the book “Not One Inch”, spoke about the major challenges facing the alliance and NATO’s northern border at the 60th Munich Security Conference.

With Sweden and Finland joining NATO in 2023, its northern and eastern borders have changed. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Mary Elise Sarotte discussed what the past can teach us in dealing with the current challenges of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

They assessed what other countries can learn from the experience of the Baltic States, both under Russian occupation and since the restoration of independence. What should NATO members and the Alliance do to help Ukraine and prevent further Russian aggression? And given numerous elections in 2024 and 2025, how can a balance be found between building prosperous societies and the necessary increase in defence spending?

The event was moderated by Gabriele Woidelko, Head of History and Politics at Körber-Stiftung.

Recording of the conversation

2023 – Challenges in the Baltic Sea region

The current geostrategic and security policy challenges in the Baltic Sea region were the focus of a background discussion at the 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 18th 2023. Around 20 international experts from the field of politics, history, diplomacy and think tanks took part in the discussion. The Roundtable was jointly organized by the Körber History Forum and the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University.

Who will take the regional leadership role in the Baltic Sea? How can Germany reassure the Baltic states and restore trust? What could a new Ostpolitik in the era of Zeitenwende look like? When thinking about strategy and security in the region, what are the historical pretexts that need to be taken into account? The Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, historian Brendan Simms and Michael Thumann, foreign policy correspondent of DIE ZEIT offered important insights, impulses and perspectives on these questions.