CSS News and Impact

The Iran war underscores the demise of the rules-based international order. Both the war and its regional and global consequences also reveal insights relevant for Swiss security policy. Ten of these insights are being put forward in this blog for discussion.  

India’s growing geopolitical and economic weight is reshaping its role as a key partner for Europe, offering both significant opportunities and notable constraints. As cooperation deepens across trade, security, and innovation, expectations must be balanced with the realities of India’s strategic autonomy and global alignments. This blog post is based on impressions from Dr. Gesine Weber’s trip to India, where she participated in the Raisina Dialogue in early March.

Emerging technologies are changing the nature of warfare. Ceasefire agreements need to respond to the type of violence they seek to address, thus also to the impact of emerging technologies. Simon J. A. Mason, Ivan Zaccagnini, and Julian Th. Hottinger argue that aptations are needed during the preparation, negotiation, and implementation of ceasefires.

The military escalation between Israel, the United States, and Iran, along with the regional spread of the war, are shaping the security situation in the Middle East. However, Europe and other parts of the world are also feeling the effects of the war more acutely. What do these current developments mean for Europe and Switzerland?

Strategic Trends, the annual flagship publication of the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich, examines the pivotal forces and developments shaping global security, offering critical analysis of the challenges and opportunities in a world undergoing profound transformation.

Due to domestic repression and support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Belarusian regime has isolated itself internationally. Sanctions have hit Belarus hard but have also pushed the country further toward Moscow. In this CSS Analysis, Jonathan Raspe and Jeronim Perovic highlight the tense regional situation and argue that Europeans must decide whether to engage with Belarus to reduce its dependence on Russia.

Simon Mason, Sebastian Kratzer and Edward Jackson argue that collaborating over environmental issues can be an entry point for security and peace talks. A global increase in environmental degradation and armed conflicts calls for clarity on the feasibility and limitations of this approach.

The EU has significantly stepped up its engagement with third countries in the realm of security and defense since 2022. The new Security and Defense Partnerships open pathways for tailored cooperation, albeit with clear limits. The political context for new partnerships is favorable. 

In a new CSS Analysis, Marion Hischier examines how the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda has influenced global peace and security governance by centering gender equality. Backlash against gender equality initiatives and accusations of imposing norms highlight the urgency of cultural literacy in implementing the Agenda.

The UN-ETH Forum held in Zurich at the end of October demonstrated how researchers can contribute their expertise and know-how to international political issues. Various ongoing projects already illustrate the effectiveness of this cooperation.