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Background and elements of the war in Ukraine

“This crisis shows us the weakness of our society”

Jacques Baud* in an interview with “Swiss Standpoint”

(30 May 2023) On the occasion of a trip to Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels, two members of the editorial board of “Swiss Standpoint” had the following conversation with the Swiss military analyst Jacques Baud. He talks about the causes of the war, the current situation of Ukrainian and Russian troops and the influence of the USA on events in the region. In a second part, questions of international trade relations and Switzerland's loss of trust and credibility abroad are also discussed.
WHO reform

Warning and criticism from legal experts

“International Pandemic Treaty” and “International Health Regulations”

by Thomas Oysmüller,* Austria

(23 May 2023) (Edit.) From 21–30 May 2023, the 76th Annual Session of the World Health Assembly – the supreme decision-making body of the WHO – will take place in Geneva. Planned reforms offer much explosive material and endanger the sovereignty of the 194 member countries. The following article describes the current situation based on the results of the previous Geneva negotiations of February 2023.
Pedagogy

Competence orientation?

Competence without education

by Béatrice Di Pizzo,* Zurich

(23 May 2023) Swiss primary schools are dominated by competence orientation, self-organised learning and inclusive support. The humanistic educational ideal falls by the wayside.

Sudan conflict

The new geopolitical battlefield between East and West?

by Matthew Ehret,* Canada

(23 May 2023) The potential outbreak of a civil war sparked by a factional fight within Sudan's military government poses a destabilization threat beyond the nation's borders – into Africa, West Asia, and the emerging multipolar order. This suits the west just fine.

Provocation is Not an Innocent Act

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(23 May 2023) Provocation is not an innocent act. Under specific circumstances, provocation constitutes a tort or even a crime, especially when it deliberately generates a violent response. There is no binding definition of the term provocation, which is generally understood as intentional or reckless conduct likely to induce another person to a violent response – out of fear, anger or outrage.
On Swiss Neutrality

Austria – Neutrality under pressure

“As long as you join us in the war, we don’t care about your status”

by Gerald Oberansmayr,* Austria

(17 May 2023) (Edit.) In Austria, too, there are strong efforts to circumvent the country’s neutrality, which is deeply rooted in the population. A look beyond Switzerland’s borders can therefore be helpful for the discussion in our country. The starting points are different, but in both countries a part of the political establishment seems to be deeply annoyed by neutrality.