Defuse it or Lose it: How to Defuse Interdependence without Blowing up the Liberal World Order - MSC@Amerikahaus - Emerging Leaders 2026

States are increasingly exploiting existing interdependencies in their strategic pursuits. Global networks have become a new battlefield, where economic, technological, and security dependencies are weaponized. The very foundations of the liberal world order — free information flows, open trade, and international cooperation — are turning into geopolitical chokepoints. Yet, as with any new “weapon” there are ways to counter and defuse its impact. In our panel, high-level politicians and leading scientists will discuss how to mitigate the weaponization of interdependence, how liberal democracies can restore resilience of open systems, and Germany’s and Europe’s roles in specific. One key example is Europe’s Global Gateway initiative and whether it can be seen as a strategic response to the growing weaponization of interdependence. Through this initative, Europe aims to reclaim interdependence as a source of cooperation rather than vulnerability in the global order. But can the Global Gateway truly deliver on this promise and contribute to defusing interdependence?

Organizers: 

Bayerische Wissenschaftsallianz für Friedens-, Konflikt- und Sicherheitsforschung and Amerikahaus München