Switzerland plays a crucial role in international politics across many areas. We uncover the complexities of Swiss politics globally and provide fresh perspectives on international developments.
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‘Rich and weak’?
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Economically strong, but militarily weak. What does the future hold for countries like Switzerland?
Switzerland eases arms export rules as its industry is shunned by Europe
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Switzerland will allow the sale of weapons to countries embroiled in conflict, in a move favourable to its defence industry. The country insists such exports are compatible with neutrality.
How Switzerland can move towards an independent digital future
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Switzerland should free itself from its digital dependence on international big tech, writes David Sommer from the Digitale Gesellschaft.
What lies ahead for Switzerland: the major political issues of 2026
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The coming year promises to be a landmark one for Swiss politics. It will be decisive for the future of relations between Switzerland and its European neighbours.
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Bombs in Brighton, timers from Switzerland and secret bank accounts in Geneva. Patrick Ryan, one of the IRA’s leading members, was also a priest.
How the neutrality initiative could affect Swiss policy
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The neutrality initiative seeks to incorporate a strict interpretation of Swiss neutrality in the federal constitution. What would this mean for Switzerland’s foreign and security policy?
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Former ambassador Paul Widmer argues in favour of accepting the neutrality initiative, as Swiss neutrality depends on international recognition for its credibility and effectiveness.
Neutrality under fire: the enduring power of Park Chan-wook’s DMZ thriller
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Busan Film Festival celebrates the Korean film with Swiss focus that raised legendary filmmaker Park Chan-wook to cinema royalty.
Switzerland flies under the radar at NATO gathering
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Switzerland is not a NATO member, but it keeps half a foot in the door – a visit to the alliance’s recent parliamentary assembly shows how this works.
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Twice yearly, lawmakers from NATO and beyond – including Switzerland – meet to discuss all things defence. A portrait of an understated institution.
Fake news spread abroad about Switzerland is a liability
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False claims about Swiss neutrality are circulating internationally. Switzerland needs to do more to ensure that other countries do not have a false image of the country. A Swissinfo analysis.
Swiss NGO urges Bern to raise its climate ambition as US walks away from accords
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Delia Berner from Alliance Sud says Washington’s exit from climate treaties deals a “bitter blow” to climate justice and makes Switzerland’s climate‑finance delays “irresponsible”.
UN envoy: ‘Water must be put at the top of the political agenda’
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The UN secretary-general’s first special envoy on water, Retno Marsudi, wants member states to put this vital resource at the top of their political agenda.
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North Macedonia has been hit by USAID’s withdrawal. Fears are growing that ‘less Western’ countries will bridge the funding gap.
Swiss universities seek to stem tech espionage after Iranian scandal
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Swiss universities are set to tighten their vetting rules to curb tech espionage amid rising threats from countries like China and Russia.
How a project in Peru supports sustainable cocoa – and serves Swiss interests
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Switzerland supports farmers in Peru so they can produce in a more social and green way – and so chocolate producers have access to cocoa.
Why private finance for sustainable development is still bracing for impact
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Switzerland wants to rely more heavily on private capital to fund sustainable development, despite a mixed record for innovative schemes such as blended finance.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon in dilemma over staying or returning
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After the fall of the Syrian regime, some refugees are returning home, while tens of thousands are once again taking flight.
How a global plan to preserve forests launched a carbon offset debate
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The journey of a UN-backed scheme to prevent deforestation through carbon offsets exposes the challenges of influencing climate-related practices from afar.
Drug trade and land grabs threaten Amazon communities on climate front lines
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Drug trafficking, violence and weak state support overshadow Peru’s Amarakaeri reserve, where Indigenous communities are struggling to protect forests.
Charitable giving comes under pressure as donors slash education aid
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Donors like Switzerland are cutting funding for basic education in low-income countries. Can charitable foundations help fill the gap and improve learning outcomes?
How a project in Peru supports sustainable cocoa – and serves Swiss interests
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Switzerland supports farmers in Peru so they can produce in a more social and green way – and so chocolate producers have access to cocoa.
Global trade under strain: why rules still matter for nations like Switzerland
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Former chief economist of the WTO, Ralph Ossa, explains why economies such as Switzerland need to defend and adapt the rules-based system.
Stadler Rail wins billion-franc night train order from Kazakhstan
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Stadler Rail is building almost 600 carriages for night trains in Kazakhstan, which is increasingly attractive for Swiss companies.
US trade deal forces reckoning for Swiss pharma powerhouse
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Swiss pharma made massive investment promises to the US that are fueling anxiety about the industry’s future in Switzerland.
Switzerland among vanguard shaping global digital age
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A new deal on digital services trade between Singapore and EFTA states shows that even coalitions of small economies can help set global standards in the digital age.
Lessons from the US-Swiss tariff dispute: when the ends justify the means
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Tariff negotiations with the United States have been a steep learning curve for Switzerland and its trade diplomacy — and an unprecedented rollercoaster ride.
Facing Trump’s tariffs, Swiss farmers find themselves with too much milk
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Swiss dairy farmers produced a bumper harvest of milk, but higher U.S. duties have forced them to consider ways to cut back, including slaughtering cows.
Switzerland keeps profits derived from foreign bribery. It shouldn’t.
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Switzerland should stop this practice. Not only for the sake of its reputation, but also for its own benefit, argues Andrew Dornbierer.
Switzerland eases arms export rules as its industry is shunned by Europe
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Switzerland will allow the sale of weapons to countries embroiled in conflict, in a move favourable to its defence industry. The country insists such exports are compatible with neutrality.
How Switzerland can move towards an independent digital future
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Switzerland should free itself from its digital dependence on international big tech, writes David Sommer from the Digitale Gesellschaft.
Global trade under strain: why rules still matter for nations like Switzerland
This content was published on
Former chief economist of the WTO, Ralph Ossa, explains why economies such as Switzerland need to defend and adapt the rules-based system.
Why Palantir is becoming a risky bet for Switzerland
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Zurich serves as a hub for US tech company Palantir’s business relations. The Swiss foreign ministry now has the company in its sights, because of its controversial role in Gaza.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon in dilemma over staying or returning
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After the fall of the Syrian regime, some refugees are returning home, while tens of thousands are once again taking flight.
Rubble and drones: in the no-go zone between Lebanon and Israel
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Since the 2024 war, the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel has become a no-man’s land of devastation. We join a team of United Nations military observers on patrol on the Lebanese side.
Explainer: Why Europe is bringing back conscription
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Europe’s shortage of professional soldiers, amid mounting concerns over Russian military ambitions, is forcing countries to revisit the idea of conscription.
Charitable giving comes under pressure as donors slash education aid
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Donors like Switzerland are cutting funding for basic education in low-income countries. Can charitable foundations help fill the gap and improve learning outcomes?
Switzerland keeps profits derived from foreign bribery. It shouldn’t.
This content was published on
Switzerland should stop this practice. Not only for the sake of its reputation, but also for its own benefit, argues Andrew Dornbierer.
Swiss NGO urges Bern to raise its climate ambition as US walks away from accords
This content was published on
Delia Berner from Alliance Sud says Washington’s exit from climate treaties deals a “bitter blow” to climate justice and makes Switzerland’s climate‑finance delays “irresponsible”.
Switzerland eases arms export rules as its industry is shunned by Europe
This content was published on
Switzerland will allow the sale of weapons to countries embroiled in conflict, in a move favourable to its defence industry. The country insists such exports are compatible with neutrality.
UN envoy: ‘Water must be put at the top of the political agenda’
This content was published on
The UN secretary-general’s first special envoy on water, Retno Marsudi, wants member states to put this vital resource at the top of their political agenda.
This content was published on
North Macedonia has been hit by USAID’s withdrawal. Fears are growing that ‘less Western’ countries will bridge the funding gap.
Swiss-EU accords have more support in Strasbourg than in Bern
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In the European Parliament, a new package of agreements between Bern and Brussels is seen as cementing an essential partnership in the face of geopolitical tensions.
How Switzerland can move towards an independent digital future
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Switzerland should free itself from its digital dependence on international big tech, writes David Sommer from the Digitale Gesellschaft.
Swiss universities seek to stem tech espionage after Iranian scandal
This content was published on
Swiss universities are set to tighten their vetting rules to curb tech espionage amid rising threats from countries like China and Russia.
How a project in Peru supports sustainable cocoa – and serves Swiss interests
This content was published on
Switzerland supports farmers in Peru so they can produce in a more social and green way – and so chocolate producers have access to cocoa.
Venezuela’s new interim leader Delcy Rodríguez faces Swiss sanctions
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Delcy Rodríguez, named interim president by Venezuela’s Supreme Court following the recent US capture of Nicolás Maduro, has featured on a Swiss sanctions list since 2018.
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The Swiss government has frozen Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s suspected assets in Switzerland with immediate effect.
Why private finance for sustainable development is still bracing for impact
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Switzerland wants to rely more heavily on private capital to fund sustainable development, despite a mixed record for innovative schemes such as blended finance.
What lies ahead for Switzerland: the major political issues of 2026
This content was published on
The coming year promises to be a landmark one for Swiss politics. It will be decisive for the future of relations between Switzerland and its European neighbours.
Global trade under strain: why rules still matter for nations like Switzerland
This content was published on
Former chief economist of the WTO, Ralph Ossa, explains why economies such as Switzerland need to defend and adapt the rules-based system.
Why Palantir is becoming a risky bet for Switzerland
This content was published on
Zurich serves as a hub for US tech company Palantir’s business relations. The Swiss foreign ministry now has the company in its sights, because of its controversial role in Gaza.
Stadler Rail wins billion-franc night train order from Kazakhstan
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Stadler Rail is building almost 600 carriages for night trains in Kazakhstan, which is increasingly attractive for Swiss companies.
Is offering a Rolex to a foreign official considered bribery under Swiss law?
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Swissinfo examines whether the Swiss Criminal Code would apply to Swiss company executives who brought a pair of valuable gifts on a recent visit to the White House.
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Bombs in Brighton, timers from Switzerland and secret bank accounts in Geneva. Patrick Ryan, one of the IRA’s leading members, was also a priest.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon in dilemma over staying or returning
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After the fall of the Syrian regime, some refugees are returning home, while tens of thousands are once again taking flight.
Detained 81-year-old Swiss-Tunisian is finally sentenced and released
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After more than a year and a half in prison in Tunisia, Mustapha Djemali was finally brought to trial and immediately released from prison.
How a global plan to preserve forests launched a carbon offset debate
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The journey of a UN-backed scheme to prevent deforestation through carbon offsets exposes the challenges of influencing climate-related practices from afar.
Drug trade and land grabs threaten Amazon communities on climate front lines
This content was published on
Drug trafficking, violence and weak state support overshadow Peru’s Amarakaeri reserve, where Indigenous communities are struggling to protect forests.
Rubble and drones: in the no-go zone between Lebanon and Israel
This content was published on
Since the 2024 war, the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel has become a no-man’s land of devastation. We join a team of United Nations military observers on patrol on the Lebanese side.
US trade deal forces reckoning for Swiss pharma powerhouse
This content was published on
Swiss pharma made massive investment promises to the US that are fueling anxiety about the industry’s future in Switzerland.
How the neutrality initiative could affect Swiss policy
This content was published on
The neutrality initiative seeks to incorporate a strict interpretation of Swiss neutrality in the federal constitution. What would this mean for Switzerland’s foreign and security policy?
This content was published on
Former ambassador Paul Widmer argues in favour of accepting the neutrality initiative, as Swiss neutrality depends on international recognition for its credibility and effectiveness.
Switzerland among vanguard shaping global digital age
This content was published on
A new deal on digital services trade between Singapore and EFTA states shows that even coalitions of small economies can help set global standards in the digital age.
Lessons from the US-Swiss tariff dispute: when the ends justify the means
This content was published on
Tariff negotiations with the United States have been a steep learning curve for Switzerland and its trade diplomacy — and an unprecedented rollercoaster ride.
