Publications

The topic of this issue is “Aftermath of the 2020 Karabakh War: New Geopolitical Reality in the South Caucasus”. Eka Javakhishvili explores the conflicting preferences of South Caucasian states (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) and some broader regional actors (Turkey, Russia, Iran) concerning the “3+3” platform, a postwar initiative for regional cooperation. Tatia Chikhladze articulates the prospects for the latest attempt at rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia. Akif Musayev, Khatai Aliyev, Shabnam Maharramova, and Mirvari Gazanfarli describe the resettlement potential of internally displaced people in Azerbaijan’s postwar territories based on data from a survey that was conducted by an independent agency.chevron_right

This issue deals with dysfunctionalities in the Russian economy. The first three contributions look at the direct impact of sanctions. Ilya Matveev provides an overview, while Andrei Yakovlev compares the government’s anti-​sanctions measures to its reaction to the economic impact of the COVID-​19 pandemic. Janis Kluge offers a more detailed picture of the short-​ and long-​term effects of the unfolding sanction regime. Michael Rochlitz then goes on to explain the lack of strategic planning in the country’s economic policy. Finally, Olga Masyutina and Ekaterina Paustyan provide a case study of inefficient governance mechanisms looking at waste management.chevron_right

The topic of this multidisciplinary issue is “Ambitious Agenda – Limited Substance? Critical Examinations of the EU’s Resilience Turn in the South Caucasus”. Veronika Pfeilschifter explores EU resilience building in the area of post-​authoritarian transitional justice in Armenia. Diana Forker and Natia Botkoveli examine the impact of languages on community and individual resilience in minority communities of Georgia. Tiffany G. Williams explores how synergies of the EU-​US security governance can strengthen resilient self-​defense in Georgia. Finally, Bidzina Lebanidze, Ashot Aleksanyan and Irena Gonashvili examine whether and how a lack of geopolitical actorness undermines EU resilience building in Armenia and Georgia.chevron_right

For several years prior to the Russian invasion, the principal idea of creating a cyber volunteer army had been bouncing around in Ukrainian government circles. In part those discussions were informed by the success of the Estonian Defence League's Cyber Unit and other efforts around the globe. In contrast to these well-​established and purely defensive cyber volunteering efforts, the IT Army of Ukraine was stood up in an ad-​hoc manner without a clearly structured and proven plan. This CSS Cyberdefense Report provides the first-​ever comprehensive analysis of the IT Army’s structure, tasking, and ecosystem.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

States often struggle to develop a military cyber-​force, as the time and resources required for an effective capability are much greater than often appreciated, argues Max Smeets in this CSS Policy Perspectives.chevron_right

Ceasefire negotiators, monitors, and verifiers should not ignore advances in technology. What technology can and cannot do, however, has to be carefully assessed in relation to other factors that make or break a ceasefire.chevron_right

Strategic Trends 2022 offers a concise analysis of major developments in world affairs, with a primary focus on international security. In the first chapter, Brian G. Carlson analyzes China-​Russia relations and the impact on Asian security. In the second chapter Dominika Kunertova explains how hypersonic technology has become a political tool in great-​power competition among the United States, China, and Russia. In the third chapter, Névine Schepers argues that Russia’s war in Ukraine significantly complicates nuclear arms control efforts while also underlining their necessity given heightened risks of nuclear escalation. In the final chapter, Boas Lieberherr and Linda Maduz analyze the emerging concept of the Indo-​Pacific, in particular with regard to its strategic implications.chevron_right

China confronts difficult choices in responding to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The war presents China with several risks, but China continues to view Russia as a valuable partner. China remains cautious ...chevron_right

The Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February shocked Europe into unity, revitalized NATO, and led several European countries to re-evaluate their defense policies and strategic dependence on Russian...chevron_right

The topics of this issue are the political and economic consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Stefan Meister looks at Russia’s role in the post-​Soviet region. Heiko Pleines presents a broad analysis of Russia’s preparations for war, ranging from political rhetoric to economic policy and military developments in the first phase of the war. Andrei Yakovlev discusses ways of economic forecasting in view of the abrupt shocks to the Russian economy. Daria Zakharova describes Russia’s propaganda strategy using the example of the Bucha massacres. A representative opinion poll captures the publicly expressed attitudes of the Russian population toward the war.chevron_right

This issue is about Russian Information Warfare. Articles by Nash Miller, Jessica Brzeski, Jacqueline Evans, and Jesse Clarke examine the tools that Russia has used against Ukraine, Poland, the United States, and the European Union, as well as the strategies that these countries have employed to combat Russian information warfare. The final article summarizes the findings and proposes policy options by means of which the democratic countries of the West can address the challenges information warfare poses. A final contribution by Françoise Daucé examines the suspected contribution of news aggregator Yandex.news to the decline of information pluralism for political purposes.chevron_right

Under Emmanuel Macron’s leadership, France has emerged as a European pioneer in the geopolitics of technology. The French government is also acting as a driving force in Brussels, aiming to advance th...chevron_right

As the war in Ukraine remains unsolved, many elements of the conflict still hang in the balance. However, early lessons can be drawn no matter the outcome; some military, some political. These will in...chevron_right

The topics of this issue are the political regime stability in Russia a month after the start of the attack on Ukraine and the impact of the war on Russian agriculture and Russian universities. The five contributions on political regime stability discuss the reliability of Russian opinion polls on the war, the authoritarian consolidation of recent years, the unity of the elites, the possibilities for protests and opposition, and the control of Russian online media.chevron_right