Salzburg Global at the 2026 Munich Security Conference: Unpacking Transatlantic Ties and Political Polarization

Against this backdrop, Salzburg Global contributed to these critical conversations by hosting an official side event of the Munich Security Conference 2026 and part of the MSC@Amerikahaus – Emerging Leaders Series.

At this event, we dug deeper into the topic “Polarization and Political Violence: How to React – What Can, Should, Must Democracies Do?” The panel discussion was shaped by an urgent reality: Over the past decade, democratic systems have become increasingly threatened by growing polarization and rising political violence. 

Held in partnership with the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, the event brought together three Salzburg Global Fellows who previously participated in Salzburg Global’s Violent Threats to Democratic Systems program and American Studies program.  

The panel featured Clionadh Raleigh, President and Founder of Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED); Dan Wilhelm, President of The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation; and Will Dobson, co-editor of the Journal of Democracy. The discussion was co-moderated by Benjamin Glahn, Deputy CEO of Salzburg Global, and Martin Weiss, CEO of Salzburg Global.

The conversation examined the increasing fragility of democratic systems amid rising polarization and political violence, highlighting recent events in the U.S. that raised serious concerns about the normalization of violence. Speakers discussed whether these trends signaled a long-term structural threat to democracy and considered how democracies should respond to this new reality. Together, they distilled key insights from their work on polarization and political violence for a diverse audience of policymakers, researchers, students, and engaged citizens.

Immediately following the panel, we hosted an informal reception, providing space for speakers and attendees to continue conversations and build new connections.

Apart from this panel, we organized several additional gatherings to bring together Salzburg Global Fellows, friends, and Munich Security Conference participants. One such event was a panel discussion at the Amerikahaus Munich on the topic “A Transatlantic Partnership That’s Fit for Purpose?” The conversation addressed shared challenges facing the transatlantic community: from handling – and hopefully ending – the Russian war against Ukraine, to tackling the rapidly changing landscape of the Middle East, from shaping the complex relationship with a rising China to the future of the transatlantic security architecture.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger joined U.S. Congresswoman Sarah McBride, U.S. Senator Chris Coons, and U.S. Senator Peter Welch in a discussion that reflected perspectives from both sides of the Atlantic. The event was moderated by Martin Weiss, CEO of Salzburg Global.

Following this panel, Salzburg Global hosted an MSC Watch Party where staff, Fellows, and friends gathered to watch the livestream of the Munich Security Conference 2026 opening together. As high-level speakers delivered opening remarks just blocks away, attendees enjoyed conversations and refreshments to mark the start of this year’s conference.

To cap off our lineup of events, Salzburg Global invited Munich Security Conference participants, Salzburg Global Fellows, contacts, and friends to – yet another – dinner reception at the home of our Board Director Prof. Max Schlereth. It was an evening of conversation, reflection, and friendship in the spirit of Salzburg Global in the beautiful surroundings so generously provided by our host. As the saying goes, if you do something three times in a row, it's a tradition - and we hope this tradition continues in the years to come!

At a moment of uncertainty for democratic governance and transatlantic cooperation, Salzburg Global’s presence at the Munich Security Conference underscored the importance of sustained dialogue. By bringing topics like polarization, political violence, and transatlantic fragmentation to a global stage, we hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of democratic resilience and renewal.