Perry World House Hosts Side Event at 2026 Munich Security Conference

Perry World House returned to the Munich Security Conference by hosting its second side event on February 13, 2026. After hosting its first side event in 2025, PWH built on its previous success by convening over 20 leading foreign affairs and national security practitioners and academics.

At PWH’s side event, World House Faculty Director and University of Pennsylvania Richard Perry Professor Michael C. Horowitz and MIT’s Frank Stanton Professor of Nuclear Security and Political Science Vipin Narang spoke to a small group on the future of war, precision, and uncrewed aerial vehicles. Foreign Affairs Editor Daniel Kurtz-Phelan moderated the event. Titled “Droning on: Rethinking Precision and the Future of Warfare,” the event addressed critical issues for future investments in conventional and nuclear deterrence. 

Drawing on lessons from the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, Drs. Horowitz and Narang spoke about the power of using cheaper drones in operations to destroy defense infrastructure and to conduct long-range strikes. Military planners and strategists applying these lessons must make choices about future doctrine and forces that will shape conventional deterrence, conflict escalation, and nuclear deterrence. 

Horowitz and Narang addressed an array of issues related to the growth of inexpensive but accurate precise mass and implications for conventional and nuclear deterrence and operations. The discussion highlighted how these emerging technologies may provide middle powers with greater military power but also may come with risks related to autonomy and artificial intelligence. Both speakers also reflected on their experiences in the Biden administration and decisions related to the Ukraine conflict.

This side event, which observed Chatham House Rule, was attended by the heads of international think tanks and trade unions, as well as top military officials from Europe and Latin America. Perry World House looks forward to continuing its presence at MSC in the coming years and sharing its knowledge and research with international policymakers and policy watchers.