by the “Leonhard Circle”*
(16 January 2026) The Leonhard Circle strongly condemns the EU sanctions against Swiss citizen and renowned military analyst Jacques Baud. These measures, imposed on 15 December 2025, constitute a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of expression that characterises the rule of law and undermine Switzerland's neutrality and freedom.
by David Vogelsanger*
(9 January 2026) The facts are known. On 15 December, the EU Commission has added to its list of sanctioned persons Jacques Baud, a Swiss citizen of good standing living in Brussels, for alleged pro-Russian propaganda in connection with the Ukrainian-Russian war. Along with people who actually may or may not be real Russian propagandists. Baud is not accused of any crime.
Statement by the editors of “Swiss Standpoint”
(26 December 2025) There are few analysts worldwide with the expertise of Swiss Colonel Jacques Baud. In his research, he traces global developments in a well-founded and documented manner and makes forecasts. He benefits from his comprehensive training, his wealth of experience as a neutral conflict expert in international peacekeeping missions and his worldwide contacts.
by Hans Bieri,* Zurich
(26 December 2025) (CH-S) With the planned EU treaties, Switzerland is in danger of degenerating into an “agglomeration” of the European Union. Our country is also coming under increasing pressure from other quarters. The filigree, citizen-oriented political system of “Switzerland”, built up over centuries by its inhabitants, is at risk of being squandered by a short-sighted political and economic “elite”.
Hans Bieri, Managing Director of the “Swiss Association of Industry and Agriculture” (SVIL), opposes this and provides us with a comprehensive overview of the current situation of our country in the European context.
by Thomas Scherr*
(19 December 2025) The Swiss debate on the European Union is characterised by vague and lukewarm reporting. On 13 June 2025, after weeks of secrecy, the treaties with the European Union were presented for consultation, together with a 931-page “explanatory report.” After the announcement, one would have expected a lively, argumentative debate in the media.
Instead, there is a trickle of reports, and when they do appear, they are “factual”, “positive,” and “neutral”, as if the aim were to sound out positions on some trivial issue. Basically, the reporting could come directly from Brussels, so dovish and friendly is the way our mainstream media presents the matter.
by Michael Straumann*
(12 December 2025) Around half of the Swiss population has turned its back on traditional media. This is shown by the new Quality of Media Yearbook published by the University of Zurich: 46 per cent are now considered “news deprived” — people who hardly ever consume news and, if they do, only via social media.1 This is a historic high.