Geopolitics

We cover global affairs from Geneva with a strong focus on humanitarian aid, human rights and conflict resolution. And we unravel the entanglements of Swiss politics in the world and offer new perspectives on global developments.

UN-backed report declaring famine in Gaza ‘important’ but won’t change much

Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Declaring a famine in Gaza is important but won’t bring any short-term relief to the Palestinian population, experts say.

International Geneva

UN-backed report declaring famine in Gaza ‘important’ but won’t change much

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Declaring a famine in Gaza is important but won’t bring any short-term relief to the Palestinian population, experts say.

extreme heat work health. Construction worker Justino cools off during a heat wave in Texas.

Too hot to work? Extreme heat endangers billions of workers

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Billions of workers face heat stress, illness and lost income as global temperatures climb, warns a WHO-WMO joint report.

Inside Geneva’s Summer Profiles: the Red Cross Museum

This content was published on Aug 19, 2025 Inside Geneva’s fourth summer profile – not a person, but a much-loved museum.

The Place des Nations square opposite the UN headquarters in Geneva often hosts events and political demos. In this photo, Russians protest against the war in Ukraine, March 2025.

Egyptian, Chinese and Russian dissidents tracked and threatened in Switzerland

This content was published on Aug 19, 2025 Repression by autocratic states abroad is also happening in Switzerland, and the human rights hub Geneva is particularly exposed to this threat.

Egyptian repression targets journalist even in exile

This content was published on Aug 19, 2025 Surveillance, intimidation, threats: for years, Egyptian journalist Basma Mostafa has suffered reprisals from her country of origin.

Lobbyists and oil-producers blamed for failure of Geneva plastics treaty

This content was published on Aug 18, 2025 Talks on a binding treaty on plastic pollution broke down on Friday. Several experts are pointing the finger at interest groups and oil- and plastic-producing countries.

Dmitry Muratov: ‘I’m not afraid to live without hope’

This content was published on Aug 14, 2025 Dmitry Muratov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former editor-in-chief of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, talks to Swissinfo about truth in the era of digital autocracies.

Trump’s tariffs expose weakness of Switzerland’s economic independence

This content was published on Aug 12, 2025 Officials worry that Switzerland’s historic strengths have become liabilities in an age of trade wars.

Taiwan is voting to restart a nuclear power plant – what’s at stake?

This content was published on Aug 8, 2025 Votes on nuclear energy are always about long-term risk assessment. In Taiwan, they are also about the risk posed by China.

Summer profile: Rachael Cummings, humanitarian director, Save the Children, Gaza

This content was published on Aug 5, 2025 Rachael Cummings has been in Gaza since the start of the war. She shares just how difficult it has become to work.

Photo of a woman with Save the Children jacket

Inside Geneva’s Summer Profiles: Rachael Cummings in Gaza

This content was published on Aug 5, 2025 Rachael Cummings of Save the Children is Inside Geneva’s summer profile this week.

Swiss diplomacy

Lobbyists and oil-producers blamed for failure of Geneva plastics treaty

Dmitry Muratov: ‘I’m not afraid to live without hope’

Trump’s tariffs expose weakness of Switzerland’s economic independence

This content was published on Aug 12, 2025 Officials worry that Switzerland’s historic strengths have become liabilities in an age of trade wars.

Switzerland remains under economic pressure from the United States following the announcement of the so-called "Liberation Day".

How Trump is manoeuvring Switzerland closer to the EU

This content was published on Aug 8, 2025 The steep US tariffs of 39% have sent shockwaves through Switzerland. They give a boost to those who advocate closer ties with the EU.

What do 39% US tariffs mean for the Swiss economy?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 US tariffs of 39% on Swiss imports came into force on Thursday morning – the blow to Swiss exporters, jobs, and prosperity could be harsh.

Jackie Chan will receive a honour Pardo prize for his career at Locarno. The festival will screen some early Jackie Chan films, like "Project A" (1983), pictured above with Chan in the center.

How the Locarno Film Festival brought Chinese films to the West

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 Over the past 75 years, some pivotal Chinese films and filmmakers have had their first encounter with international critics at Locarno.

family Waser produces "Niederbauer" alpine cheese

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.

How pharma became Switzerland’s Achilles heel in US trade talks

This content was published on Aug 6, 2025 The pharmaceutical industry’s strength has made it a key vulnerability for Switzerland in trade talks with the US.

A Palestinian flag flutters amid the ruins of buildings in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on March 4, 2025, amid the ongoing truce between Israel and Hamas.

Why Switzerland doesn’t recognise Palestine as a state

This content was published on Aug 6, 2025 Around 150 countries – or three-quarters of UN member states – recognise Palestinian statehood. Switzerland, for various reasons, is not one of them.

Are you noticing or anticipating any changes in your life as a result of the tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump?

How do you think your life could be impacted by the US tariff policy? Let us know.

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Aug 5, 2025

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‘We will manage to avoid 39% tariffs’, says Swiss-US business leader

This content was published on Aug 4, 2025 Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce CEO expects a deal to avert 39% US tariffs on Swiss goods.

Too hot to work? Extreme heat endangers billions of workers

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Billions of workers face heat stress, illness and lost income as global temperatures climb, warns a WHO-WMO joint report.

Inside Geneva’s Summer Profiles: the Red Cross Museum

This content was published on Aug 19, 2025 Inside Geneva’s fourth summer profile – not a person, but a much-loved museum.

Egyptian, Chinese and Russian dissidents tracked and threatened in Switzerland

This content was published on Aug 19, 2025 Repression by autocratic states abroad is also happening in Switzerland, and the human rights hub Geneva is particularly exposed to this threat.

Egyptian repression targets journalist even in exile

This content was published on Aug 19, 2025 Surveillance, intimidation, threats: for years, Egyptian journalist Basma Mostafa has suffered reprisals from her country of origin.

Lobbyists and oil-producers blamed for failure of Geneva plastics treaty

Paradeplatz Square with the headquarters of Credit Suisse, center, pictured on April 11, 2018. (KEYSTONE/Gaetan Bally)

‘Luck running out’ for Swiss economy as growth slows ahead of US tariff hit

This content was published on Aug 15, 2025 Swiss GDP only expanded by 0.1% in second quarter, adding to pressure on central bank to return to negative interest rates.

Dmitry Muratov: ‘I’m not afraid to live without hope’

Women of the Helsinki Movement

This content was published on Aug 13, 2025 Fifty years after the Helsinki Accords, it is time to talk about the women who turned a diplomatic promise into a personal mission.

Trump’s tariffs expose weakness of Switzerland’s economic independence

This content was published on Aug 12, 2025 Officials worry that Switzerland’s historic strengths have become liabilities in an age of trade wars.

How Trump is manoeuvring Switzerland closer to the EU

This content was published on Aug 8, 2025 The steep US tariffs of 39% have sent shockwaves through Switzerland. They give a boost to those who advocate closer ties with the EU.

Taiwan is voting to restart a nuclear power plant – what’s at stake?

This content was published on Aug 8, 2025 Votes on nuclear energy are always about long-term risk assessment. In Taiwan, they are also about the risk posed by China.

What do 39% US tariffs mean for the Swiss economy?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 US tariffs of 39% on Swiss imports came into force on Thursday morning – the blow to Swiss exporters, jobs, and prosperity could be harsh.

How the Locarno Film Festival brought Chinese films to the West

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 Over the past 75 years, some pivotal Chinese films and filmmakers have had their first encounter with international critics at Locarno.

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.

How pharma became Switzerland’s Achilles heel in US trade talks

This content was published on Aug 6, 2025 The pharmaceutical industry’s strength has made it a key vulnerability for Switzerland in trade talks with the US.

Why Switzerland doesn’t recognise Palestine as a state

This content was published on Aug 6, 2025 Around 150 countries – or three-quarters of UN member states – recognise Palestinian statehood. Switzerland, for various reasons, is not one of them.

Summer profile: Rachael Cummings, humanitarian director, Save the Children, Gaza

This content was published on Aug 5, 2025 Rachael Cummings has been in Gaza since the start of the war. She shares just how difficult it has become to work.

Inside Geneva’s Summer Profiles: Rachael Cummings in Gaza

This content was published on Aug 5, 2025 Rachael Cummings of Save the Children is Inside Geneva’s summer profile this week.

Radu Jude is back: the Romanian director's anarchic version of "Dracula" is in the main competition of Locarno this year.

Locarno Festival counters the somber mood of the world with art and comedy

This content was published on Aug 5, 2025 The Swiss film festival kicks off with a program reflecting the current pulse of the planet – and offers a roster of comedies celebrating art.

Are you noticing or anticipating any changes in your life as a result of the tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump?

How do you think your life could be impacted by the US tariff policy? Let us know.

Join the discussion

Aug 5, 2025

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A view of the White House website with customs duties in front of a television screen

‘Knives out’: Switzerland descends into blame game after US tariff shock

This content was published on Aug 4, 2025 President Karin Keller-Sutter is under fire for failed trade talks with the Trump administration.

Protesters holding signs advocating for support for scientific researchers

Switzerland offers no lifeboat to US scientists

This content was published on Aug 4, 2025 Switzerland has declined to launch initiatives to entice US scientists, while Europe has opened its doors. What’s next for Swiss research?

people with umbrellas in front of rolex shop

Americans face price rises for luxury watches after Trump’s Swiss tariffs

This content was published on Aug 2, 2025 Manufacturers and dealers are threatened by increased levy in a market worth more than $5 billion.

80 years on: Hiroshima, Geneva and the global struggle to ban the bomb

This content was published on Aug 2, 2025 Eighty years after the nuclear attack on Hiroshima, global spending on atomic weapons is surging. One survivor reminds the world what’s at stake.

Michiko Kodama, Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor

A Hiroshima survivor’s voice against nuclear weapons, 80 years on

This content was published on Aug 2, 2025 A Hiroshima survivor recounts the stigma of surviving what she calls “hell” – and her fight for peace and a world without nuclear weapons.

What do recent events tell us about the risks and rewards of sticking to nuclear treaties?

Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Israel, Iran. What’s the point of nuclear deals if it pays off to flout them?

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Aug 2, 2025

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How a Swiss diplomat experienced the end of WWII in Japan

This content was published on Aug 2, 2025 Eighty years ago, the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, precipitating the end of the Second World War. Camille Gorgé captured the moment in his memoirs.

Figure it out: in Switzerland, migration isn’t just inbound

This content was published on Aug 1, 2025 The high immigration figures for Switzerland make it easy to forget that not everyone who arrives is going to stay. ⁠

A youth looks out through a metal fence as she stands in the rain at Camp Roj in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province.

Lost in limbo: calls for repatriation of Swiss jihadist detainees in Syria grow louder

This content was published on Jul 31, 2025 Human rights experts, humanitarian groups, and even the US are calling for repatriation. Switzerland says it won’t support their coming back.

On July 28, Matviyenko arrived in Switzerland and delivered a speech at the IPU’s Summit of Women Speakers in support of her country’s military aggression against Ukraine.

Sanctioned Russians in Geneva: who are they and why can they enter Switzerland?

This content was published on Jul 30, 2025 Sanctioned Russians are speaking at an event in Geneva this week – critics say their appearance in Switzerland helps Putin’s regime look legitimate.

Elena Servettaz talks to Belarusian writer Sasha Filipenko

He can’t go home: a Belarusian author on lost roots and life in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 30, 2025 Discover the story of Belarus writer Sasha Filipenko as he shares his experiences of dictatorship and literary resilience.

Volunteers collect waste (mostly plastic and Styrofoam) on the shores of Lake Geneva.

In Geneva, global accord in sight on plastics pollution

This content was published on Jul 29, 2025 Geneva is set to host final talks on a global treaty to curb plastics pollution. But major sticking points remain.

Opinion

What Switzerland can achieve with its 2026 OSCE chairmanship

This content was published on Jul 24, 2025 The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is a shadow of its former self. Switzerland, which will chair the organisation next year, must prepare for a range of very different scenarios.

from left, US President Gerald Ford, Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev and Soviet Prime Minister Andrei Gromyko, walk in front of the Soviet embassy in Helsinki during the CSCE 1975 conference.

50 years of the Helsinki Accords: Switzerland’s role between the blocs

This content was published on Jul 24, 2025 Switzerland played an important role in the adoption of the pan-European set of rules in the 1970s that gave rise to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

What exactly was signed in Helsinki in August 1975?

This content was published on Jul 24, 2025 Fifty years ago, the Helsinki Accords were an attempt to reduce tensions between the Soviet and Western blocs. But what exactly did 35 countries sign up to?

Trump left a power vacuum at the UN. China saw an opportunity

This content was published on Jul 23, 2025 Beijing is making a concerted effort to place officials and push its agenda in Geneva, say western diplomats.