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On 16 November 2018, the CSS held a conference on “Arms Procurement in Europe: Current Trends and Implications for Switzerland.” In three panels, the participants discussed the procurement of major military systems, key technologies and industrial policy, and the upcoming arms procurements in Switzerland.

CSS Researcher Fabien Merz participated in the “Jugendsession 2018” as an expert on counter-terrorism in Switzerland. Not only was he able to pass on his knowledge to the young participants, but also take with him many new and thought-provoking ideas.

The CSS’ newly released 2018 Bulletin on Swiss Security Policy features an interview with Chief of the Armed Forces Philippe Rebord along with an assortment of articles on the engagement of Switzerland in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, predictive policing in Switzerland, Cybersecurity in Israel, and the role of religion and conflict in Swiss peace policy.

Smart cities need smart critical infrastructure protection. This means trusting technology to play a more substantial role in securing infrastructure for the resilient provision of critical services. Adapting to a future that includes artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things is a necessity, not a choice.

Despite moderate increases in their defense budgets, for most European states, the need to modernize main weapon systems and acquire future-proof high technology capabilities is a burden that continues to stretch their fiscal possibilities to the utmost. While forward-looking armaments policies cannot eliminate these deficits, they can lay the groundwork for tackling them successfully.