Warsaw Security Forum grapples with new realities shaping Europe

By Jo Harper

WARSAW (AA) – As leaders and experts gather for the Warsaw Security Forum starting on Tuesday, their focus will be on key challenges facing the EU, NATO, and partner countries, with an emphasis on the safety of Central and Eastern Europe.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, discussions in the Polish capital will revolve around international policy and spiraling economic and energy crises, as well as cybersecurity.

Topics at the two-day event also include participation of women in political decisions, current trends in regional and global geopolitics, terrorism, and military issues.

Held since 2014, the forum is a platform for the exchange of views between representatives of governments, international institutions, industries, think tanks, and defense and political experts.

Speakers and participants at this year’s edition include Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Lithuania’s Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, and Latvian President Egils Levits.

UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky are also attending the event.

Other participants are Gen. Chris Badia, NATO’s deputy supreme allied commander transformation; Philip Gordon, national security advisor to the US vice president; and Ylva Johansson, European commissioner for home affairs.

Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska is listed as an honorary guest and will make an online appearance at the event.