2020 in Review
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.
These include cyber security politics; Artificial Intelligence (AI); China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” and Eurasia’s geostrategic importance; Euro-Atlantic security; mediation and peace promotion; military doctrine and arms procurement, socio-technical resilience and disaster preparedness and the security policy implications of the coronavirus crisis.
Special Theme: The Security Policy Implications of the Coronavirus Crisis
The coronavirus pandemic is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges that Switzerland has been facing since the Second World War. The CSS therefore studied the medium- and long-term consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in the framework of two research projects. The emphasis was on national and international crisis management as well as the implications of the crisis for international relations and for national and international security policy.
Cyber Security Politics
In the last decade, cyber incidents have become more expensive, more disruptive, and in many cases more political. Over the course of 2020, the CSS focused on two closely interlinked issues: First, the use and misuse of digital technologies by human actors in economic, social, and political contexts. Second, the enduring and conflictual negotiation processes between the state and its bureaucracies, society, and the private sector, geared towards defining roles, responsibilities, and acceptable rules of behavior.
Artificial Intelligence and Security Politics
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key driver of changes in the economy, society, and the state. As a result, it also has become a crucial issue in national and international political debates. In this theme, we focused on the effects of AI on defense and foreign policy as well as on internal security and democracy. In particular, we looked at the anticipated changes in war and conflict caused by AI-based applications, the competition over AI-technology and resulting shifts in power, the regulation and governance of AI, and changes in the activities of intelligence services.
“Belt and Road Initiative”: Trade and Security in Eurasia
The geostrategic importance of Eurasia, the landmass comprising the continents of Asia and Europe, is increasing as a consequence of the ongoing global power shift. Within this theme, we analyzed how a rising China has increased its economic and political influence through policies such as the Belt and Road Initiative. Our research also included major power competition as a central factor shaping the new landscape in Eurasia, especially the China-Russia-United States relationship. All of this has implications for medium and small states, which is another focus area for the CSS.
Perspectives on Euro-Atlantic Security
Within this theme, developments within the Euro-Atlantic security environment and architecture that are relevant to Swiss foreign, security, and defense policy are in focus. A particular emphasis this years was given to arms control as well as security organizations such as NATO, and security and military cooperation within the EU. Russian and European security, as well as challenges from Europe’s southern neighborhood, were also featured.
Mediation and Peace Promotion
The CSS seeks to understand, develop, and promote the appropriate use of mediation in violent political conflict. Within this theme, we focused on mediation methodology, ceasefires and security arrangements in peace processes, and the use of mediation in conflicts with religious or worldview dimensions. Our reflective practice was enriched by exploring the role of local mediators and adopting a gender perspective on conflict and peacebuilding.
Military Doctrine and Arms Procurement
As great power rivalries intensify and revisionist actors engage in a range of probing behaviors, military security and defense are firmly back on the agenda. Within this theme, we identified emerging trends in military doctrines, force structures, and armaments, and observe ongoing conflicts and their implications for defense debates, both in Switzerland and beyond. In addition, we investigated the impact of new technologies in the military sphere and explore defense alternatives and future dissuasion strategies for small states.
Socio-technical Resilience and Disaster Preparedness
Due to rising complexity, ensuring the security of society, populations and critical infrastructures is becoming ever more difficult. In this theme, the CSS explored the relationship between people and the environments in which they live, particularly regarding natural, social and technical risks. We also examined resilience as a systemic phenomenon to understand complex socio-technical systems, seeking to inform future-oriented civil protection.