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March 18, 2026 – 15:00\n<\/p>\n
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\n Where does Switzerland stand in the world? And where is it heading? I focus on current and possible future developments.
\nAfter completing my studies (history, law and European studies), I worked for a time at the Swiss embassy in Athens. I have journalistic experience at home and abroad, at the local and national levels, as a freelancer and as a staff journalist. Today, it’s with an international focus. <\/p>\n
\n Deutsch <\/p>\n \n de <\/p>\n Neutral im Iran-Krieg <\/p>\n Original\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Neutral im Iran-Krieg \n Fran\u00e7ais <\/p>\n \n fr <\/p>\n Neutre dans la guerre en Iran\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Neutre dans la guerre en Iran Dear reader,<\/p>\n I still remember the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. The justification put forward by Washington \u2013 alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction \u2013 and the absence of a specific United Nations Security Council mandate triggered significant political upheaval.<\/p>\n The ongoing war in Iran is also likely to fuel debate in the medium term. Switzerland has now clarified its position \u2013 and it closely mirrors that of 2003: Swiss airspace is being partially closed to the parties to the conflict, and restrictions are being placed on the export of military equipment. (We reported on this in detail here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Under the rules of Swiss neutrality, the country may not make its territory \u2013 including its airspace \u2013 available to belligerents. This mainly affects overflights by US aircraft, given Washington\u2019s extensive military presence in Europe.<\/p>\n The Swiss government has decided that US requests for overflights will be rejected if they are connected to the conflict with Iran. Exceptions apply to flights transporting injured personnel and to those demonstrably unrelated to the war. All other flights must bypass Swiss airspace.<\/p>\n The Federal Council is keeping some room for manoeuvre. It explicitly states that requests will be denied \u201cif they exceed normal traffic, and it cannot be determined for what purpose the overflights are intended\u201d. To date, Switzerland has rejected two requests involving reconnaissance aircraft, while three other applications have been approved.<\/p>\n Could Switzerland\u2019s neutrality provoke anger in Washington? The US President has been urging NATO partners to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. But enthusiasm is limited \u2013 not least because many allies lack the military capabilities to do so.<\/p>\n It is also worth noting that the Federal Council\u2019s decision is based on its assessment that the US\u2011Israeli military operation against Iran legally constitutes a war. The United States has so far avoided using this term. So much for claims that neutral states have no opinions.<\/p>\n We are conducting a surveyExternal link<\/a> about this newsletter. Please feel free to answer our four brief questions.<\/p>\n And as always, you can write to me directly at giannis.mavris@swissinfo.ch<\/a><\/p>\n Best regards,<\/p>\n Giannis Mavris<\/p>\n P.S. If you find the newsletter useful, please feel free to forward it to others \u2013 you can subscribe\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The latest articles on geopolitics<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n International Geneva\n <\/p>\n Inside Geneva: Myanmar, women and justice <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Mar 17, 2026 <\/p>\n On Inside Geneva this week, we look at women fighting for justice. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Inside Geneva: Myanmar, women and justice More <\/p>\n Climate adaptation\n <\/p>\n US oil buoys Swiss fossil fuel needs amid\u00a0Middle East conflict\u00a0 <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Mar 17, 2026 <\/p>\n The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted the global transport of oil and gas. A look at where the fossil fuels consumed in Switzerland come from. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: US oil buoys Swiss fossil fuel needs amid\u00a0Middle East conflict\u00a0 More <\/p>\n Best of SRG content\n <\/p>\n Swiss companies export military equipment worth almost CHF1 billion <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Mar 16, 2026 <\/p>\n Swiss companies exported military equipment worth CHF950 million last year. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Swiss companies export military equipment worth almost CHF1 billion More <\/p>\n Foreign Affairs\n <\/p>\n As Middle East conflict rages, Swiss tradition of uniting adversaries is changing <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Mar 16, 2026 <\/p>\n Switzerland\u2019s military neutrality has long enabled it to facilitate communication between adversaries and help settle their disputes. But this traditional role is being tested as international relations grow increasingly turbulent. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: As Middle East conflict rages, Swiss tradition of uniting adversaries is changing More <\/p>\n International Geneva\n <\/p>\n From atrocity to accountability, Syria\u2019s path runs through Geneva <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Mar 15, 2026 <\/p>\n Enforced disappearances were a hallmark of the Assad regime in Syria. What are the prospects for justice and can UN bodies in Geneva help? <\/p>\n
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