Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security was in Munich last week to participate in the 2024 Munich Security Conference, which brings together leaders from around the world to tackle current and future challenges to our global security. 

On Saturday, Assistant Secretary Axelrod participated in a panel discussion, titled “Safeguarding Disruptive Technologies: National Security in the New Era of Economic Statecraft,” with Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Paul Rosen of the Department of the Treasury.  The panel was moderated by Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner, the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Germany.  

The panel focused on disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advances in quantum computing, which have profound implications for military advantage and the potential to alter the balance of power between democracies and authoritarian regimes.  Assistant Secretary Axelrod and Assistant Attorney General Olsen, as co-leaders of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, reinforced their commitment to preventing sensitive technologies from being used by malicious actors to undermine global security and imperil individual freedoms.

As part of the United States delegation to the 2024 Munich Security Conference, a leading global forum on key security policy challenges, Assistant Secretary Axelrod participated in several discussions regarding national security challenges facing the United States and its partners.  Assistant Secretary Axelrod also met bilaterally with European industry leaders and enforcement officials.  Assistant Secretary Axelrod was joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Kevin Kurland and Chief of Staff Molly Braese.
 

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