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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Twice yearly, lawmakers from NATO and beyond – including Switzerland – meet to discuss all things defence. A portrait of an understated institution.
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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.
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 defence alliance’s recent parliamentary assembly shows how this works.
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.
50 years of the Helsinki Accords: Switzerland’s role between the blocs
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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).
Cuban diplomats eye Switzerland in bid to ease US economic pressure
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As tensions rise again between Cuba and the US, Cuban diplomats are quietly looking to Switzerland to help restore a constructive dialogue.
Forgotten Swiss peace pact has lessons for Europe on ending bloodshed
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The Locarno Pact, negotiated in Switzerland 100 years ago, still reverberates today as Europe once again deals with war and US isolationism.
‘Quiet neutrality’: snapshots of Switzerland’s embrace of oligarchs
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To what extent is Switzerland really ‘neutral’? Swiss-Russian artist Anastasia Mityukova’s photography project ‘Quiet Neutrality’ explores this question.
Switzerland mulls stronger ties with European defence structures
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In the face of US disengagement, the idea of a defence partnership with the EU is gaining ground in the Swiss parliament.
The Davos set in decline: can the World Economic Forum save itself?
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Battered by scandal, the Swiss-based WEF faces a moment of crisis. Insiders say its future may depend on the success of next year’s meeting.
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The scandal at the Swiss food giant raises questions about its corporate culture and the health of its conglomerate model.
Why Switzerland must put human rights at the core of the OSCE
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The OSCE presidency presents an opportunity to refocus the organisation on one of its core mission, argue Eleonora Mongelli and Florian Irminger.
Lobbyists and oil-producers blamed for failure of Geneva plastics treaty
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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.
Africa’s relevance is growing – and everyone wants in
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Africa is the future – by 2100, one in three people will live there. As the African Union’s clout grows, Switzerland is stepping up engagement.
Switzerland signs controversial reconstruction aid package for Ukraine
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The deal, which includes binding contracts for the involvement of Swiss companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction, has been widely criticised.
China’s project to mediate global disputes underlines divide between the West and the rest
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China has launched a new global mediation body to resolve disputes. How will this initiative reshape international conflict resolution?
Deep-sea mining: has Trump unleashed a scramble for the seabed?
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By forging ahead with deep-sea mining, the US is bypassing the UN and creating a diplomatic storm – with a Swiss firm at the centre.
Switzerland withdraws from democracy support in Bangladesh
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Promoting democracy around the world is one of Switzerland’s goals, but at the same time the funds for such efforts are dwindling.
Cultural aid cuts deal blow to Global South creatives – and Swiss diplomacy
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Switzerland is among many countries slashing foreign aid, including funding for the arts. Cultural institutions argue these cuts hurt artists – and donors’ national interests.
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.
UBS gaining support for compromise on Swiss capital rules
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Liberal and right-wing lawmakers and lobbyists are discussing proposal that could slash capital increase by $10 billion or more.
Swiss watchmaking industry grapples with spike in US trade tariffs
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The 39% customs duties on Swiss exports to the US, which came into force a month ago, are a big concern for watchmakers. How will they react?
The trade agreement between India and EFTA countries comes just at the right time
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The new trade agreement between India and EFTA countries, of which Switzerland is part, is more than a trade deal argues economist Saon Ray.
Explainer: How the new US tariffs are already impacting the Swiss economy
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On August 1, US President Donald Trump announced a tariff of 39% for Switzerland. The effects are slowly becoming visible.
How Trump is manoeuvring Switzerland closer to the EU
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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?
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US tariffs of 39% on Swiss imports came into force on Thursday morning – the blow to Swiss exporters, jobs, and prosperity could be harsh.
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A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.
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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.
Switzerland flies under the radar at NATO gathering
This content was published on
Switzerland is not a NATO member, but it keeps half a foot in the door – a visit to the defence alliance’s recent parliamentary assembly shows how this works.
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.
The Davos set in decline: can the World Economic Forum save itself?
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Battered by scandal, the Swiss-based WEF faces a moment of crisis. Insiders say its future may depend on the success of next year’s meeting.
UBS gaining support for compromise on Swiss capital rules
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Liberal and right-wing lawmakers and lobbyists are discussing proposal that could slash capital increase by $10 billion or more.
Why studying Eastern European history is so political
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The subject has always been heavily dependent on political cycles. An analysis by Eastern European historian Fabian Baumann.
Why Switzerland doesn’t recognise Palestine as a state
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Around 150 countries – or three-quarters of UN member states – recognise Palestinian statehood. Switzerland, for various reasons, is not one of them.
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Legal proceedings in the US have been in vain: the Moon sect’s fortune will remain safe in the coffers of a foundation based in the Swiss canton of Zug.
Slowness and alleged political interference mark Swiss record on international crimes
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In Switzerland, justice on universal jurisdiction cases continues to go at a snail’s pace, despite the attorney general’s promises to make them a priority.
Switzerland flies under the radar at NATO gathering
This content was published on
Switzerland is not a NATO member, but it keeps half a foot in the door – a visit to the defence alliance’s recent parliamentary assembly shows how this works.
Averting conflict can become Switzerland’s role in Arctic science diplomacy
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Switzerland is making meaningful contributions to Arctic governance and multilateral dialogue, as the Arctic becomes a geopolitical and environmental epicentre.
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.
The Davos set in decline: can the World Economic Forum save itself?
This content was published on
Battered by scandal, the Swiss-based WEF faces a moment of crisis. Insiders say its future may depend on the success of next year’s meeting.
This content was published on
From UN warnings in Geneva to eyewitness accounts from Gaza, Swissinfo documents two years of the Hamas-Israel war and its devastating humanitarian toll.
Timeline: Switzerland and the war in the Middle East since October 7, 2023
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Since October 7, 2023, Switzerland has repeatedly emphasised the need to end hostilities in the Middle East. However, its positions have attracted criticism.
UBS gaining support for compromise on Swiss capital rules
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Liberal and right-wing lawmakers and lobbyists are discussing proposal that could slash capital increase by $10 billion or more.
Why studying Eastern European history is so political
This content was published on
The subject has always been heavily dependent on political cycles. An analysis by Eastern European historian Fabian Baumann.
Why Switzerland doesn’t recognise Palestine as a state
This content was published on
Around 150 countries – or three-quarters of UN member states – recognise Palestinian statehood. Switzerland, for various reasons, is not one of them.
This content was published on
The scandal at the Swiss food giant raises questions about its corporate culture and the health of its conglomerate model.
This content was published on
Legal proceedings in the US have been in vain: the Moon sect’s fortune will remain safe in the coffers of a foundation based in the Swiss canton of Zug.
Truth or tale: Have foreign leaders hidden money in Swiss banks?
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The trail of “dirty money” in the possession of corrupt public officials has long led to Switzerland’s financial centre. It’s one that Bern has tried to clean up.
Slowness and alleged political interference mark Swiss record on international crimes
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In Switzerland, justice on universal jurisdiction cases continues to go at a snail’s pace, despite the attorney general’s promises to make them a priority.
Why Switzerland must put human rights at the core of the OSCE
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The OSCE presidency presents an opportunity to refocus the organisation on one of its core mission, argue Eleonora Mongelli and Florian Irminger.
Swiss watchmaking industry grapples with spike in US trade tariffs
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The 39% customs duties on Swiss exports to the US, which came into force a month ago, are a big concern for watchmakers. How will they react?
With US in retreat, can Switzerland maintain fight against kleptocracy?
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The tough task of uncovering illicit finance held by corrupt officials and returning stolen assets is being complicated by slow progress and waning US leadership.
The trade agreement between India and EFTA countries comes just at the right time
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The new trade agreement between India and EFTA countries, of which Switzerland is part, is more than a trade deal argues economist Saon Ray.
Explainer: How the new US tariffs are already impacting the Swiss economy
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On August 1, US President Donald Trump announced a tariff of 39% for Switzerland. The effects are slowly becoming visible.
Fake news spread abroad about Switzerland is a liability
This content was published on
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.
Lobbyists and oil-producers blamed for failure of Geneva plastics treaty
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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’
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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.
How Trump is manoeuvring Switzerland closer to the EU
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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
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
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Over the past 75 years, some pivotal Chinese films and filmmakers have had their first encounter with international critics at Locarno.
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A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.
