Munich Security Conference Coming Up

The annual Munich Security conference is opening up, and the world seems poised to yawn.

The Munich Security Conference opens Friday with an evening address by China's foreign minister - a shift from the meeting's traditional trans-Atlantic focus in a nod to the growing importance of Asia.

The prestigious gathering, in which world leaders and top diplomats talk policy in an informal setting, is also expected to focus on ongoing concerns about Iran's nuclear program, instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the development of the A400 transport plane, a seven-nation project through the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company that has been plagued with cost overruns.

The annual conference has long been a strategy session for U.S. and European leaders on defense cooperation. But in its 46th year, the forum's organizers want to reflect Asia's growing role on the world stage when officials, including Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, convene in Munich from Friday to Sunday.

This year, the U.S. delegation appears more modest than in the past, with top officials including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton likely to skip out. Vice President Joe Biden headed last year's U.S. delegation. This year, White House national security adviser, Ret. Gen. James Jones will be the senior U.S. official.

By: Brant