CSS News and Impact

As Earth’s orbits are increasingly congested, disputes over space traffic will erupt between operators. This Policy Perspective from Clémence Poirier makes the case for Switzerland to extend its facilitation efforts to space.

Foreign disinformation is a matter of significant concern in democracies. While the empirical evidence of its influence is more nuanced than many threat perceptions suggest, uncertainty in crucial domains complicates decision-making. An analysis of these uncertainties highlights the importance of fostering civil trust and maintaining proportionality in policies and discourse around disinformation.

The threat posed by potential attacks using biological (B) or chemical (C) weapons is real, and it is being exacerbated by the security situation. This requires states to enhance their preparedness, response, and investigation capabilities in the case of incidents involving these weapons. In this CSS Analysis Sophie Reiners states that reliable investigative mechanisms are necessary, with forensic methods playing a key role.

This workshop report written by several CSS experts summarizes the discussions and insights from a workshop organized by the Center for Security Studies. The event convened international experts in technology and economic security, alongside public and private sector practitioners, to assess risks and explore strategies for enhancing European resilience in global semiconductor supply chains.

Strategic Trends, the annual flagship publication of the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich, examines in 2025 the pivotal forces and developments shaping global security, offering critical analysis of the challenges and opportunities in a world undergoing profound transformation.

Sport has reemerged as a tool for autocratic states to strengthen their legitimacy domestically and internationally. Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in particular, have invested heavily in sport and positioned state-linked figures in international sport organizations. Fabio Schmocker concludes in this CSS Analysis that while this strategy has increased the Gulf states’ global visibility, it has also drawn more attention to human rights issues.

A deepening rift in transatlantic relations has reignited debates on how to strengthen nuclear deterrence in Europe in the absence of credible US security guarantees. No exact alternatives exist or would even be desirable. In her CSS analysis, Névine Schepers argues that opportunities for enhanced strategic dialogue and cooperation with willing European allies could instead provide some reassurance and may shape further changes in doctrine and force posture in the long-term.

In a new edition of the CSS Policy Perspectives, Fabian Hofmann describes the ethical challenges associated with digital peacebuilding. He argues that Switzerland can take a leading role in establishing ethical standards for AI in peace and conflict resolution.

The MAS ETH Mediation in Peace Processes (MAS ETH MPP) program has introduced a series of multimedia tools designed to help mediators worldwide refine their skills and make peace processes more effective.

In this newly published book, negotiators and scholars join forces to identify how ceasefires and political negotiations intersect and when and how ceasefires work to promote peace. Case studies cover conflicts in Bosnia, Burundi, Colombia, Darfur, El Salvador, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sudan North/South, and Syria.