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The BSC is now taking place for the 24th time — for the fourth time in the shadow of the war in Ukraine. As one of the largest European security conferences, it brings together defense politicians and military experts, but also security companies and internal and external security decision makers from many countries.

Strack-Zimmermann as Congress President

The president of the BSC 2025 congress is Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the European Parliament's Defence Committee. Former Major General Reinhard Wolski is the conference chairman. The event is organised by Behörden Spiegel under editor-in-chief and publisher Dr. Eva-Charlotte Proll. The motto of BSC 2025 is: “Europe and NATO: Reliable Resilience – Credible Deterrence.”

The topic is not just about purely military requirements and substantial investments in security, especially since Europe's resilience also depends on functioning civilian structures. An important factor in the threat of war is the destruction of critical infrastructure (KRITIS), as the example of Ukraine shows. But acts of sabotage against KRITIS are also increasing in Germany and by other NATO allies — as are disinformation and propaganda.

Diplomacy from a position of strength

Prior to the conference, Major General Wolski stated the goals of the two-day congress: “The value-based free world is once again at a critical turning point. Our security and defense sovereignty is being tested with a severity that we have not seen in decades,” said Wolski. Peace is not achieved through illusions of compromise, but only through diplomacy from a position of strength.

“But above all, we must affirm a fundamental truth: Democracy and freedom do not exist — they must be actively defended. They are the prerequisites for peace. ”

 Security architecture in disarray

The BSC deals with questions of the security architecture that has come off the rails in and around Europe; how the Allies must prepare themselves to be tested more and more by Russia; how they can protect themselves against drones or fighter jets entering national airspace; what is to be expected as the next escalation stage; when Article 5 must become an active guarantee; what findings from Ukraine should be used to defend the country, to improve on water, in air, in cyberspace and in space; how civil and military health care must be interlinked; how procurement processes can be accelerated; what opportunities and risks artificial intelligence entails; and much more.

 Ukraine, Middle East, Indo-Pacific, Black Sea

The suffering of innocent people in the Gaza Strip will also be discussed, as will instability in the Middle East, ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, threats to sea routes and global trade, and China's ambitions.

Policy makers and military commanders — 140 speakers in total — from Europe, North America and the entire transatlantic community will discuss strategic developments, how to identify new threats at an early stage and define options for action. Threats from the Arctic and the northern flank across Central Europe to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea are also being analysed. Particular attention is paid to the war in Ukraine and its effects on NATO, the EU, OSCE and the United Nations.

Swedish threat analysis

The Kingdom of Sweden, represented by Ambassador Veronika Wand Danielsson, will take the opportunity at the conference to explain its threat analysis, particularly with regard to Russia and the entire Baltic Sea region, and the measures to be taken to prevent the threats. As the youngest member of NATO, Sweden is expected to make full efforts to strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defense capabilities for European and transatlantic security.

diplo.news is media partner of BSC 2025. More information: www.euro-defence.eu

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