Munich: The Munich Security Conference 2026, one of the most prominent international forums focused on defense and foreign policy issues, commenced today in Munich, Germany. The conference is taking place amidst a global climate described by its organizers as the most turbulent since the end of the Cold War, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and a review of transatlantic relations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, this year’s conference raises the bar for warnings: “The international order built on the ruins of World War II is being ‘demolished’ from within and without,” as stated in the conference’s annual security report. The sessions, occurring from February 13-15, are themed under the slogan “The Elephant in the Room,” a phrase that also serves as the title of the Republican Party’s slogan and appears on the cover of the conference’s annual report.

The event has drawn more than 1,000 participants from approximately 120 countries for the weekend sessions, marking a typically busy period. Among the attendees are some 70 heads of state and government, including representatives from Iraq.