World leaders began to gather today for the 56th annual Munich Security Conference, a meeting that focuses on international security policy. Over 500 international decision makers are in Munich for this important conference, including German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and our very own German Ambassador Emily Haber. Other notable delegates include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This year’s theme of the conference is “Westlessness”, which is described as a “widespread feeling of uneasiness and restlessness in the face of uncertainty about the enduring purpose of the West.” With that theme in mind, delegates will discuss a range of topics including military defense, climate change and global security threats. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will conduct talks on Lybia, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. The Munich Security Conference was born at the height of the Cold War. The conference was first held in 1963, bringing together German leaders and NATO allies to find ways to prevent military conflicts in the aftermath of the Second World War. Today, the conference brings together leaders from other parts of the world, including Russia and China – and it focuses on some of the most important security issues in the world. We’re proud to say that Wolfgang Ischinger, who heads the conference, formerly worked in Washington as the German Ambassador to the US from 2001 to 2006!
Meanwhile, Vice Chairman Boris Ruge was our Deputy Chief of Mission from 2016 until 2019. This week’s edition of TWIG includes several articles about the Munich Security Conference, so be sure to read those to learn more about this impactful gathering. Nicole Glass Editor, The Week in Germany germanyinusa (at) gmail.com
Munich Security Conference to debate the future of the international order The 56th Munich Security Conference (MSC) will focus on the challenge to the world order shaped by the West as well as concrete solutions to current conflicts. Foreign Minister Maas will conduct talks on Libya, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, among others.
Is “Westlessness” inevitable? “What does it mean for the world if the West leaves the stage to others?” This is the overarching question of the Munich Security Report 2020, which Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, presented at this year’s MSC Kick-off event.
 Don’t disengage, shape the Change A contribution by Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas published in the Security Times.
 75 years after WWII: Memorials in Berlin Following years of violence and destruction, the Second World War ended 75 years ago. Many memorials in Berlin mark the historic events or commemorate the victims.
What is it like to intern at the German Embassy? Paulina Kintzinger shares her stories  This week, we are introducing one of our interns at the German Embassy. Our Q&A with Paulina sheds light on her experience as a German in the US – and the Embassy!
 10 reasons to love Munich Lederhosen, beer, and Oktoberfest are clichés that come to mind for people around the world when they think of Germany. You’ll find all three in the state of Bavaria and its capital, Munich — and much more.
At Checkpoint Charlie, Cold War history confronts crass commercialism In divided Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie was the most notorious border crossing, a Cold War hot zone. Today, it’s the site of a different confrontation, this one pitting developers against historians.
10 facts you didn’t know about Cologne As we get ready for a week of Carneval festivities, here are 10 facts you (probably) didn’t know about Cologne, Germany.
Word of the Week: Habseligkeiten The German word Habseligkeiten is a beautiful one. Literally translated, it means “belongings”, but it also means so much more! It comes from the words haben (“to have”) and Seligkeit (a state of bliss, happiness or salvation).