Publications

The triple nexus approach – understood as a more coherent engagement by humanitarian, peace, and development actors – is necessary to deal with the complexity of third-​party engagements in fragile contexts. Implementing the triple nexus approach is challenging yet pivotal for more effective third-​party impact.chevron_right

The Strategic Concept seeks to prepare NATO to deal with the deteriorating security environment over the past decade characterized by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the rise of China. Its implementation hinges mainly on the modalities of the alliance’s enhanced deterrence and defense.chevron_right

South Korea and its triangular relationship with the US and North Korea are critical for security and stability in Asia. Understanding South Korea’s shifting domestic and international outlook is important for European states, looking for new cooperation opportunities and partners in Asia.chevron_right

Geopolitical instability underpins the short-​term energy-​saving measures adopted in Europe in preparation for winter. Climate change’s impact on energy insecurity highlights an urgent need to simultaneously integrate longer-​term climate mitigation measures.chevron_right

The Internet has grown massively since it became commercialized and globalized in the 1990s. Yet, despite its success, the idea that the Internet may lose its global nature has high salience. It comes in two variants. In the first one, the Internet develops towards a “splinternet” consisting of several national internets due to intentional access and connectivity restrictions imposed by governments. A second claim, which emerged with the start of the US-​China “trade war” in 2018, is that we are moving towards a bifurcation between a Western and a Chinese Internet. This CSS Cyberdefense Report offers an overview of the discourse on Internet fragmentation and bifurcation.chevron_right

The annual survey "Sicherheit", which is a joint publication by the Military Academy at ETH Zurich and the CSS, evaluates long-​​term public opinion tendencies and trends on foreign, security and defense policy issues in Switzerland. In 2022, the Swiss continue to feel very safe and to adhere to their neutrality almost unanimously. In terms of foreign policy, the Swiss' willingness to open up remains unchanged and low. Regarding the Swiss Armed Forces, Swiss citizens continue to have a positive attitude. Compared to 2018, the Swiss population is less supportive of a mandatory orientation day for Swiss women – but it still tends to be supported by a majority. The data for the study "Sicherheit 2022" were collected between 4 and 20 January 2022. Due to the war in Ukraine, a follow-​​​up survey was carried out this year, which will be published on July 14, 2022.chevron_right

The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has intensified efforts in Europe to become more independent of Russian fossil fuels. This has given political urgency to ambitions for the development of more renewable energy sources. Access to raw materials outside Europe will be key to this process of energy transition, and it could become a new dimension of geopolitical competition.chevron_right

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in a myriad of new challenges, including for French security and defense policies. Demand for its defense industries is rising. The French armed forces are now more than ever needed since the end of the Cold War to ensure the defense of Europe.chevron_right

The topic of this issue is Energy and War. Indra Overland posits that the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Western sanctions against Russia will affect many parts of the global energy system; Martin Jirušek discusses the EU's struggle with Russian energy imports and its role in the new geopolitical reality; and Agha Bayramov and Tom Wagenmakers explore the potential role of Azeri natural gas in meeting European Union energy security needs.chevron_right

Russia’s war in Ukraine, conducted behind the shield of nuclear deterrence and the threat of escalation, has increased the salience of nuclear weapons worldwide. It endangers the multilateral norms and processes in place to prevent nuclear proliferation and complicates any near-​term prospects for disarmament.chevron_right

Russia cannot be integrated into a cooperative security system in Europe in the foreseeable future. The West must support Ukraine and contain Russia's military might. But Russia remains important for the stability of Europe. The question is what role the country should play in a future post-​war order.chevron_right

The Russian invasion of Ukraine revitalized NATO and marked the return of US leadership in the alliance. However, the coming months may prove more difficult for NATO to navigate due to a series of dilemmas that could endanger its cohesion.chevron_right

Evidence from Ukraine shows that cyber operations are either too slow, too weak, or too volatile to provide significant strategic value in hybrid conflict and war.chevron_right

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine requires NATO to eliminate doubt about its ability and resolve to defend its eastern territory by outweighing its current personnel and equipment understrength. Sweden and Finland’s likely accessions add to this effort. NATO’s adaptation will depend on a bigger European responsibility and renewed public discussions about the importance of security and defense.chevron_right

New Delhi’s refusal to condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine complicates its foreign policy maneuvering. How India positions itself in an increasingly polarized competition for global dominance will become more important. It will continue to leverage conflicting partnerships to secure its own rise.chevron_right