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The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zürich would like to wish you all a happy holiday season. During the holidays, we look back over some of the core themes covered by our Think Tank and researchers in 2020.

According to this CSS Policy Perspective by Matthias Leese, data-driven analytics can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of police work. Police departments should however proceed with care, as tools such as predictive policing raise a number of concerns regarding human rights and civil liberties.

The corona pandemic is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges that Switzerland has been facing since the Second World War. For this reason, the Bulletin 2020 on Swiss Security Policy is devoted almost exclusively to Switzerland's corona crisis management during the first wave. Its articles take stock, raise important questions and give recommendations on how to improve crisis prevention and management in the future.

The effectiveness of future arms control measures will depend on their ability to address the growing US-China nuclear competition and its impact on security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific, argues Névine Schepers in this CSS Analysis. While legally binding treaties may be more distant prospects, there are strong incentives for the US, China, and others to work on confidence-building measures and dialogue aimed at reducing risk and misperceptions.

The discovery of gas in the Eastern Mediterranean has rekindled unresolved issues between Turkey and two EU members, Cyprus and Greece, argues Fabien Merz in this CSS Analysis. Steps taken by a more assertive Turkey that fears being cut out of the energy bonanza have precipitated a crisis. An escalation would not only have far-reaching implications for the region, but also for EU-Turkish relations and NATO’s cohesion.

Every year, the CSS analyzes developments in world politics and their potential consequences for Switzerland over the next eight years. This year, we focus on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic around the world.