International

Russia's lockdown of Odessa ports could be a grim turning point in war

by George Beebe,* USA

(11 September 2026) A lesson to all purveyors of the idea that Ukraine could be a 'steel porcupine' and avoid a mutual agreement to end the conflict. It's a trap.

Over the course of a few short weeks, a grim new reality has taken shape in Ukraine. Russia1 has shown that it need not conquer and occupy Ukraine’s entire Black Sea coastline to turn that country into the equivalent of a landlocked state. It need only deny access to Ukraine’s critically important Odessa port complex, something it is doing quite effectively through air and missile strikes on port facilities and approaching ships.

German illusions – or: who actually wants Russia to lose?

by Gert Ewen Ungar*

(4 September 2026) (CH-S) Gert Ewen Ungar offers a different perspective: he describes how Germany perceives its own involvement with the Ukrainian Zelenskyy government, whilst highlighting the contradictory consequences this has for Germany.

The Persian Gulf region: The US at an impasse

by Karin Leukefeld*

(28 August 2026) Sixty days ago, on 17 June, the presidents of Iran and the United States of America signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU), a declaration of intent intended to bring an end to the war of aggression against Iran that the US and Israel had launched on 28 February 2026. Today, the agreement is “in a coma”, as they say in Iran. Israel is blocking it at every level.

Finland’s Irrational Choice

The results of «Elite Capture»

by Olli Tammilehto*

(24 July 2026) (CH-S) Numerous irrational strategic decisions in Europe are the result of decades of “Elite Capture” by the US – according to Finnish author Olli Tammilehto.

A striking example is Finland's 58-year-old President, Alexander Stubb. He previously served as Finland’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, as well as Vice-President of the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg. Tammilehto’s article also turns the spotlight on members of the ruling elites in other countries.

Is Europe missing the boat to the future?

Will international relations soon be shaped without Europe?

by Ralph Bosshard*

(17 July 2026) A diplomatic offensive by the Eurasian countries is currently underway, aimed at implementing China’s “Global Governance Initiative” and Belarus’s “Charter for the Security of Eurasia”.

Once the summer holidays are over, things could really take off, and Europe might be relegated to the role of a bystander. Will Chinese and Belarusian diplomats be governing the pressing conflicts of our time?

Are we talking about the same topic – Iran?

Impressions from an informative event

by Thomas Scherr*

(10 July 2026) (CH-S) On 19 and 20 June, “Swiss Standpoint” welcomed the Iran expert Dr Patrick Ringgenberg** to its event venue to speak on the topic “Understanding Iran: Past and Present”.

During an evening lecture and a discussion, the following day, Patrick Ringgenberg succeeded in offering various perspectives on the complex situation in Iran. In doing so, he was able to draw on his profound knowledge and decades of experience in the country itself.