Korea-related media attention over the weekend was, understandably, focused on the upcoming second Kim-Trump summit in Vietnam.

Yet with eyes directed toward Hanoi, Pyongyang, and Washington, another major summit occurred at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Germany. For the 55th year, leaders and influencers the world over gathered for the Munich Security Conference.

Great power competition was one of the dominant themes of this year’s conference. Directly related to the topic of major state contest, the 55th Munich Security Conference also focused heavily on the shifting global order as the U.S. ostensibly retreats from its leadership position.

The pre-conference