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Pacific states under pressure

Why does neutral, landlocked Switzerland need to conduct NATO war games in the Pacific?

by Ursula Cross and Thomas Scherr*

(26 September 2025) On 12 September, the 54th meeting of the heads of state and government of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) ended with a declaration entitled “Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace”, which opposes the increasing militarisation of the region. The many island states in the Pacific Ocean, with their diverse populations, are trying to use diplomatic skill to stay out of the growing geopolitical tensions. It is becoming increasingly apparent that NATO and its allies are exerting greater influence to exclude China. “Swiss Standpoint” has reported on this on several occasions. Now we are entering another round, and official Swiss institutions are also playing a dubious role.

“You can keep your dollars – we’ve got the dysprosium”

The strategic power of materials is rising, and China holds the upstream advantage

by Dr Warwick Powell*

(19 September 2025) Chinese diplomats must feel like Daedalus at times. Daedalus was Icarus’ father, who warned his son that if he flew too close to the sun, his wings would melt and he’d fall to the ground. Consumed with hubris, Icarus ignored Daedalus’ warnings.

“We are living in a new era of power politics”

On Switzerland’s economic situation in the “Trump 2” era

by Rudolf Strahm*

(19 September 2025) (19 September 2025) Trump’s tariff hammer is hitting Switzerland hard, but not unexpectedly. Rudolf Strahm analyses the situation and calls for Switzerland’s gold exports to be immediately removed from the trade balance and for a long-term rethink of trade policy in line with the new global realities.

Statement on the question of Palestine

On the occasion of the meeting of the “Nordic Initiative for a Diplomatic Accord in Israel and Palestine”

Edinburgh, 1 September 2025

by Hans Köchler*

(12 September 2025) “The time for debate and hesitation has passed …” These were the introductory words chosen by the IPC1 formally declaring famine in Gaza.2 This entirely avoidable, man-made disaster should give us pause. How could the international community – that has been propagating the universal values of humanity in virtually thousands of solemn proclamations and declarations – let this happen, after the unspeakable horrors of the Second World War?

“Why world peace depends on Germany”

Assessments by Hauke Ritz, publicist and philosopher, Berlin

by Marita Brune*

(12 September 2025) Attentive observers of world affairs have long wondered why European countries, especially Germany, not only fail to support Trump’s peace initiatives, but even seek to undermine them. This is particularly true of Germany, a country whose politicians have blindly followed everything that has been dictated by the US for decades. Has Germany suddenly discovered that it could act independently? It is impossible to ignore the fact that Europe is doing everything it can to prolong the terrible war in Ukraine. Is Europe, is Germany now possibly responsible for an escalation of this war, which could lead to a world war?

All “disinformation”?

How the state interferes with freedom of expression and freedom of the press

by Dr Jonas Tögel*

(12 September 2025) (CH-S) In the following article, Jonas Tögel describes the dramatic deterioration of freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Germany and the EU, and the methods being used to further destroy them. Most EU states today face accusations of treating their citizens in a despotic manner, patronising them and treating them as compliant subjects.