Social issues

How war propaganda works

Europe is becoming “ready for war” (Part 1)

by Robert Seidel*

(4 July 2025) The Israeli army’s attack on the Iranian Republic drowned out the threatening rumblings of war in Europe because it heightened the danger of a Third World War. But how is it possible in Europe itself to create a mood in which ever more people seem willing to “voluntarily” sacrifice their lives, the lives of their loved ones, their own prosperity and future? And how is it possible that such a far-reaching change of course is accepted without complaint? In short, how is “willingness to go to war” created?

China's thorium revolution

by Alex Krainer, TrendCompass*

(4 July 2025) Last month, Chinese scientists made a major breakthrough with the experimental 2-megawatt thorium reactor in the Gobi Desert by refueling the reactor while in full operation – a world-first achievement.

“Not in our name”

Zionism is not the same as Judaism

by Detlef Koch*

(27 June 2025) Today, 13 June, marks the start of an event in Vienna that was long considered unthinkable: Jews from all over the world are gathering – rabbis, Holocaust survivors, intellectuals, Mizrahi activists, left-wing voices from the diaspora – to publicly, confidently and in an organised manner criticise Zionism. Not out of hatred, but out of responsibility. Not as a taboo-breaking act, but as a return to the ethos of Jewish history. The “First Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress” is not a marginal phenomenon. It is the moral symptom of a radical change – and an invitation to finally rethink the concepts that have paralysed political criticism for decades.

Universities are failing in their duty

by Suzette Sandoz*, Lausanne

(27 June 2025) Could the cruel war between Israel and Palestine finally provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the role of universities? The rectorates are stammering and getting annoyed, students are demonstrating, the police are sometimes intervening – it’s a pitiful sight.

Educational optimism

by Michael Felten*, Germany

(20 June 2025) Optimism is something that the struggling education system could really do with right now. And Alfred Adler, the founder of individual psychology, would have a lot to offer in this respect. His experience-based thesis is that every child, no matter how troubled their background may be, can change their learning behaviour and social skills at school and develop them in a positive way. However, this requires steadfast and knowledgeable teachers who sensitively understand each child’s learning style, encourage and challenge them individually, and strengthen their attachment to a pro-social class community.

Palestine: “Help us stop the tragedy!”

Sumaya Farhat-Naser on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank

Event organised by “Swiss Standpoint”

(20 June 2025) (Own report) On 13 May 2025, in the well-attended rooms of “Swiss Standpoint” in Frauenfeld, Palestinian Dr Sumaya Farhat-Naser spoke about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank and her involvement there. The speaker gave a knowledgeable overview of the catastrophic humanitarian situation. At the same time, she impressed the audience with her level-headed, peaceful and egalitarian attitude towards the world.