Publications

The four articles in this edition of the RAD look at 1) the prospects for opposition players in the upcoming 2018 Russian Presidential elections; 2) how Alexey Navalny’s political campaign strategy is confronting Russia’s political leadership with its first real...chevron_right

Die Ausgabe 2017 des CSS-Jahrbuchs "Bulletin zur schweizerischen Sicherheitspolitik" enthält Kapitel zu den Beiträgen der Schweizer Muslimgemeinschaft zu PVE (Darius Farman und Fabien Merz), die Ausbreitung von dschihadistischem Salafismus in Libyen, Marokko und Tunesien (Lisa Watanabe), Organisierte Kriminalität in fragilen Kontexten als Herausforderung für die Schweizer Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (Benno Zogg) sowie über die Gesundheitsaussenpolitik der Schweiz (Ursula Jasper). Es enthält auch ein Interview mit Guy Parmelin, Bundesrat und Chef des VBS. Des Weiteren werden der erstmals im November 2017 an der ETH Zürich angebotene „Master of Advanced Studies ETH Mediation in Peace Processes“ (Simon Mason und Andreas Wenger) und die städtische Sicherheit in einer sich wandelnden Risikolandschaft (Linda Maduz und Florian Roth) thematisiert.chevron_right

While geopolitical considerations still influence the public debate about Nord Stream 2, in the EU, the topic has shifted to a rather technical discussion of energy market regulation. Indeed, this article contends that within the political organs of the EU...chevron_right

This analysis proposes a method of conceptualizing cyberweapons with an aim to help policymakers and practitioners improve their responses to cyber incidents. More specifically, this method moves beyond technical, abstract or legal definitions of cyberweapons, and instead focuses on two conditions: the intent of an actor using the cyberweapon and its impact. The paper additionally 1) provides an empirical grounding for this set of conditions by applying it to a series of well-known and documented cyber incidents; and 2) explores three core trends identified in this empirical exercise.chevron_right

This article argues that Chinese President Xi Jinping has not only strengthened his domestic authority, he also appears to be discarding Deng Xiaoping’s foreign policy of restraint. At the same time, US President Trump’s policies have weakened the US’ ability...chevron_right

Due to global mobility and the deeply interconnected nature of the contemporary world, national efforts do not suffice to keep infectious disease such as Ebola, SARS or H1N1 from spreading across borders. As a result, states must coordinate their efforts to identifychevron_right

The massive expansion of shale oil extraction in the US marked the beginning of a global glut in the petroleum markets. According to this article, this is just one of many factors raising the pressure on OPEC and other oil producers. So, how has OPEC responded...chevron_right

The three articles in this issue of the CAD focus on 1) Georgia´s foreign policy following its ratification of the Association Agreement with the EU; 2) Georgian public opinion regarding the perceived cultural impact that further integration with the EU could foster...chevron_right

The two articles in this edition of the RAD look at 1) Russia’s efforts to play a more prominent role in the ongoing North Korean nuclear crisis, highlighting Moscow’s increasing collaboration with Beijing over Pyongyang; and 2) Russia and Vietnam’s comprehensive...chevron_right

The two articles in this edition of the RAD focus on 1) Moscow’s attempts to integrate Crimea into the Russian Federation and how the peninsula’s international isolation is proving a significant obstacle to the Kremlin’s program of economic reforms; and 2) how...chevron_right

In light of Armenia’s 2017 parliamentary and municipal elections, the three articles in this issue of the CAD look at 1) patron-client networks in Armenia and their relationship to electoral violations in the country; 2) the impact of civil society observationchevron_right

Fifteen years ago, the first permanent International Criminal Court (ICC) took up its work. According to this publication, the establishment of this tribunal was a success that sent a strong signal against impunity for human rights violations. Today, however...chevron_right

The conflict in Syria developed from civilian protests against the government in 2011 to a civil war. The hostilities were not limited to the physical realm, but also took place in cyberspace. The goal of this report is to understand the mechanisms of the use of cybertools in the context of a civil war. It examines the various actors, tools and targets observed during the conflict. It analyzes the effects of cyber activities on the Syrian society, the economy, technology. The Hotspot Analysis also looks at the internationalization of the conflict through the use of the internet and the fact that cyber activities always remained of low intensity. Finally, the report suggests some recommendations for states to implement to reduce the risks of similar attacks.chevron_right

The conflict in Syria developed from civilian protests against the government in 2011 to a civil war. The hostilities were not limited to the physical realm, but also took place in cyberspace. The goal of this report is to understand the mechanisms of the use of cybertools in the context of a civil war. It examines the various actors, tools and targets observed during the conflict. It analyzes the effects of cyber activities on the Syrian society, the economy, technology. The Hotspot Analysis also looks at the internationalization of the conflict through the use of the internet and the fact that cyber activities always remained of low intensity. Finally, the report suggests some recommendations for states to implement to reduce the risks of similar attacks.chevron_right

Despite a large international civilian and military presence, Mali continues to struggle with widespread insecurity and Islamist extremism. So why is this? This publication argues that key reasons relate to Mali’s chronic poverty problems, ethnic tensions and a...chevron_right