Publications

There is a pervasive fear that information technology enhances the effectiveness of destabilizing disinformation campaigns. Yet evidence from Ukraine, the paradigmatic case of “hybrid war”, indicates ...chevron_right

In South-​East Asia, the emerging great power China is challenging the supremacy of the US, which is clinging to its leading role in the region. Although the countries of South-​East Asia agree that t...chevron_right

As Alexander Lukashenko has become a toxic figure at home and abroad, three scenarios for the regime’s future are perceptible. Each has important foreign policy implications, and Russia is key in all ...chevron_right

This report aims to provide a deeper understanding of the fundamental cybersecurity and -​defense challenges pertaining to the space economy. It outlines the broad contours of what constitutes the space economy and takes a closer look at the problems on the terrestrial surface, space-​based assets, and the area of up- and downlinks. Furthermore, this report dives into two case studies pertaining to NASA and the European global navigation satellite system Galileo, and disentangles the cyber threat landscape by examining public reporting on the most referenced satellite hacking incidents in terms of its veracity and fact-​based representation. Finally, it provides several recommendations for the Swiss government and a brief horizon scan highlighting three future trends.chevron_right

The topic of this issue is “Mitigating the Social Consequences of the COVID-​19 Pandemic”. Firstly, Gurgen Aslanyan, Vardan Baghdasaryan and Gayane Shakhmuradyan examine the social policy response of the Government of Armenia to the COVID-​19 crisis. Secondly, Farid Guliyev posits that Azerbaijan’s social assistance and income support schemes adopted during the COVID-​19 pandemic need to be seen within the context of the existing social protection system and safety nets. Thirdly, Vakhtangi Demuria and Teona Absandze suggest that the Georgian government’s efforts to provide social assistance for the population were delayed and faltered in terms of efficiency, but overall, more or less complex schemes of assistance were elaborated. Finally, Ramina Murshudova, Aytan Shahmarova, Mirvari Gasimova, Gunel Poladova, and Malahat Valiyeva analyze changes in attitudes towards online education in Azerbaijan during the unprecedented global lockdown resulting from the COVID-​19 pandemic.chevron_right

Under Joe Biden, domestic opposition to free trade of workers, who have been losing from it, will continue to influence US trade policy. Unlike Trump, Biden will be open to a new, shared position with Europeans that aims to revive the rule-​based trade system underpinning transatlantic relations. To alleviate opposition, Europe and the US will have to craft a new trade compromise, argues Michiel Foulon in this CSS Policy Perspective. Such a compromise is in European leaders’ interest and must not only revive the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism but also values the industries that have been suffering from free trade.chevron_right

The topic of this issue is the Russian Regions after the Elections of the Unified Voting Day 2020 (11–13 September). Firstly, Andrei Semenov describes the outcomes of the subnational elections and argues that although the results confirmed the dominance of regime-​backed candidates, long-​term changes in the electorate’s preferences and tactical innovations employed by the opposition foreshadow a major battle over the parliamentary elections in 2021. Secondly, Mikhail Turchenko posits that the three-​day voting scheme helped the Kremlin to maintain control over all gubernatorial offices, as well as over all regional parliaments and a majority of city councils in regional capitals, while Alexei Navalny’s “smart vote” initiative was effective in big cities. Thirdly, Guzel Garifullina argues that technocratic selection is being used for the wrong offices or being applied selectively, rendering it useless or even harmful. Finally, Andrey Yushkov describes changes in regional public finance from 2012 to 2019.chevron_right

The topic of this issue is the "Environment". Firstly, Ellie Martus examines Russia’s solid waste problem, arguing that despite strong policy activity, the scope of the “rubbish reforms” is limited and focused on attracting private-​sector investment rather than addressing broader issues around recycling and sustainability. Secondly, Nikolay I. Shiklomanov focuses on the problematic Soviet-​era legacy of decrepit Arctic infrastructure in urban areas in permafrost regions. Finally, Elizabeth Plantan provides a brief overview of environmental activism in Russia.chevron_right

The topic of this issue is “Arms Control.” Firstly, Moritz Pieper analyzes the policy options of the Russian government in the area of nuclear arms control, after the end of the INF treaty and before the possible end of New START. Secondly, Liana Fix and Ulrich Kühn discuss the differing conceptions of strategic stability in the 21st century of the USA, Russia, China, and Europe. Thirdly, Alexander Graef writes about conventional arms control in Europe. Finally, Oliver Meier lays out a possible pathway for Russia to dismantle its Novichok program within the framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention.chevron_right

In light of the societal changes wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, this report examines the impact this crisis has had on the general cybersecurity threat landscape during the first two quarters of 2020. This report highlights that the coronavirus pandemic has generated a set of remarkable and psycho-​societal, technical, and logistical-​economic circumstances upon which malicious actors have capitalized. The analysis of the COVID-​19-related cyber threats conducted for this report shows an overarching degree of continuity in terms of the types of attacks, threats actors, and the volume of attacks. Adversarial behavior has, however, changed and evolved in terms of scale, sophistication, targets, and motivation. Based on these findings, this report has developed a range of recommendations for addressing key cybersecurity implications of the pandemic.chevron_right

Artificial Intelligence, Digitalization, Climate Change – many overarching trends and developments have the potential to alter the lives of billions of people in the coming years. For society, most of these trends represent both a challenge and an opportunity. In any case, they will also affect the civil protection system in Switzerland. The objective of this report is therefore twofold. First, it aims to provide a systematic analysis of twelve technological, societal and environmental trends for the next ten years, and second, it makes recommendations on how the civil protection system in Switzerland could be optimized in view of their impact. The analysis thus serves as a supportive foundation for further developing the civil protection system through targeted, coordinated and comprehensible strategic decision-​making. The report is a continuation of the first Risk and Resilience Report on trends in civil protection from 2014, with an extended time horizon to 2030.chevron_right

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. While lega...chevron_right

The 2020 issue of the Bulletin is devoted almost exclusively to Switzerland's corona crisis management during the first wave in the first half of 2020. The first contribution is an interview with the ...chevron_right

Das CSS analysiert jedes Jahr die weltpolitischen Entwicklungen und ihre möglichen Folgen für die Schweiz in den nächsten acht Jahren. In diesem Jahr konzentrieren wir uns auf die Auswirkungen der Cor...chevron_right

The topic of this issue is Arts in Society. It looks at how both artists and newly-​founded grassroots institutions seek exchange with the international art world without completely turning away from local traditions, and how the Soviet-​style accessibility of art for the general population can be maintained under different political-​ideological conditions and used to develop artistic diversity. Nasta Agrba and Asida Butba analyze how SKLAD (a cultural centre in Sukhum/i) became a learning tool to get to know the place they live in better. Secondly, Kerstin Klenke, in conversation with Olivia Jaques, provides insight into the current Abkhaz musical landscape. Thirdly, Shoghakat Mlke-​Galstyan, with Olivia Jaques, develops an explanation of the approach of MIHR Theatre, the first independent contemporary dance theater company in Armenia. Finally, Philomena Grassl gives a short overview of the history of the Georgian film industry, with a focus on recent developments, new artistic formats and experimental approaches.chevron_right