Sibilla Bondolfi

Winter sports as Swiss development aid for Kyrgyzstan

This content was published on Feb 8, 2023 Switzerland is investing in winter tourism in Kyrgyzstan to create jobs during the cold season.

The pitfalls of mini-NGOs teaming up internationally

This content was published on Feb 5, 2023 Thanks to the internet, people from the Global South can build contacts with Western countries easily. But working methods don’t always coincide.

EU and CH flags on two hands about to shake

Will Switzerland sort out its differences with the EU in 2023?

This content was published on Jan 17, 2023 The EU wants to govern relations with Switzerland with a packet of sectoral accords, but Switzerland is dragging its feet.

Meet the woman in charge of Swiss prosperity

This content was published on Jan 7, 2023 Swiss prosperity increasingly depends on the fruits of its foreign policy. The Swiss foreign ministry has a special department for this.

‘There is some movement in the relationship between Switzerland and the EU’

This content was published on Jan 5, 2023 Chief negotiator Livia Leu on the state of play in Switzerland's exploratory talks with the EU.

Swiss foreign policy: the end of privilege

This content was published on Dec 9, 2022 For many years Switzerland was able to increase its prosperity discreetly under the cover of neutrality. But times are changing.

Switzerland and EEA membership: not as simple as it sounds

This content was published on Dec 7, 2022 Some reckon Switzerland could fix its European woes by joining the European Economic Area (EEA). But would EEA members be happy about this? >> SRF, Tagesschau vom 01.05.2020:

How Switzerland is preparing for nuclear escalation

This content was published on Nov 9, 2022 The danger of Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons in Ukraine is growing. Switzerland is well prepared, but not for an all-out nuclear war.

Chinesische Touristin isst Pommes und macht Selfie

ʿPeople in China are no longer so optimisticʾ

This content was published on Oct 31, 2022 A former Swiss correspondent in Shanghai explains how the mood of the Chinese people has increasingly darkened.

Is the criticism of Switzerland by Russian dissidents justified?

This content was published on Sep 30, 2022 Two Swiss politicians respond to criticism that Switzerland is hiding behind neutrality and granting loopholes to Putin's confidants.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil vote could jump-start free trade agreement

This content was published on Sep 23, 2022 Why the upcoming presidential elections in Brazil are crucial for Switzerland, which wants to ratify a free trade agreement.

Tourist visa ban for Russians divides Europe

This content was published on Aug 25, 2022 If the EU decides to impose a visa ban on all Russian citizens, Switzerland would have to follow suit.

Wanted: politically convenient definition of ‘neutrality’

This content was published on Jul 17, 2022 Switzerland is in search of a new interpretation of its neutrality. An international comparison shows there are plenty of variations.

Ban on ‘killer robots’ faces showdown in Geneva

This content was published on Jun 30, 2022 These weapons systems, developed using robotics and artificial intelligence, do not require human operation.

How neutral is Switzerland, really?

The war in Ukraine is forcing Switzerland to explain its neutrality.

Dictators’ funds in Switzerland – the biggest scandals

This content was published on Jun 2, 2022 From Marcos to Yanukovych via Mubarak, a rogues’ gallery of former leaders who have stashed their stolen cash in Switzerland.

Can Switzerland help make the UN more democratic?

This content was published on May 12, 2022 The UN is facing a democracy deficit. As a prospective member of the Security Council, Switzerland is keen to play an active role in reform efforts.

Is Switzerland moving towards a European security alliance?

This content was published on Apr 8, 2022 Calls for more military cooperation are getting louder in Switzerland. How far can the country bend its traditional policy of neutrality?

Swiss successes, risks and failures mediating peace abroad

This content was published on Mar 22, 2022 Peace policy expert Markus Heiniger explains how the Swiss became specialists in ending conflicts.

Switzerland is ‘European but independent’ says top diplomat

This content was published on Mar 21, 2022 Has Switzerland given up its neutrality? We asked Pascale Baeriswyl, head of the Swiss mission to the United Nations in New York.