2015

From its inception shortly after the uprisings in North Africa, Switzerland’s North Africa program has adopted a needs-based, nuanced approach. The uncertainties of the transitions, nevertheless, circumscribe where and how it can be effective. Ultimately, a long-term commitment to supporting the transitions is necessary.

After the terrorist attacks in Paris, Europe is stepping up repressive measures to combat terrorism. Yet, prevention and the “soft” aspects of counterterrorism measures must also be kept in mind. The concept of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), in conjunction with peace and development policies, has developed as part of a modern approach to counterterrorism. This creates opportunities for Swiss foreign policy.

Future European armaments projects will continue to be marked by high costs and decreasing unit numbers. While it is possible that new approaches in procurement will alleviate that situation, success is uncertain. This will also impact the next major project of the European armaments industry – the development of unmanned combat aircraft.

Future European armaments projects will continue to be marked by high costs and decreasing unit numbers. While it is possible that new approaches in procurement will alleviate that situation, success is uncertain. This will also impact the next major project of the European armaments industry – the development of unmanned combat aircraft.

The dividing lines between domestic and international security, police and defence, diplomacy and development, and federal and cantonal security actors are increasingly blurred. As a result, also professional careers and fields of work become strongly intertwined. This collaborative research project between the CSS and the University of Geneva, co-funded by the SNSF, draws on primary data of Swiss security professionals to analyse this ongoing reconfiguration of the Swiss security landscape.

Are NATO's mutual security commitments strong enough today to deter all adversaries? Is the nuclear umbrella as credible as it was during the Cold War? This book brings together experts and Scholars from the policy and academic worlds to provide a rich and etailed analysis of post-Cold War nuclear weapons policy, nuclear deterrence, alliance commitments, nonproliferation, and missile defense in NATO but with implications far beyond.

This year’s “Bulletin zur schweizerischen Sicherheitspolitik” (in German) includes chapters on Switzerland’s participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace, Switzerland’s strategic partnership with Turkey, and the rise of private security companies in Switzerland. It also includes an interview with Markus Seiler, the director of the Swiss Intelligence Services (NDB). It has been launched in Berne on October 27.

Notwithstanding the Fukushima disaster, a number of threshold countries are planning to start programs for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including in Asia. In its program, Vietnam is already at a relatively advanced stage. Currently, however, there is no evidence of a Vietnamese atomic weapons program. But a more aggressive policy of China could increase Hanoi’s interest in creating its own nuclear deterrent.

In the past 20 years, military conscription has been regarded as an obsolescent model for security policy. However, in several countries, Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine have set off debates on bringing back the draft. While this form of national defense will not make a great comeback, alternative models are gaining popularity.