1 Mar 2019 | Security Watch

In December 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first document to lay out the fundamental civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights for all individuals. However, Céline Barmet contends that 70 years on, we are seeing a growing, systematic global disregard for such rights. Further, this trend is not only threatening the international community’s human rights achievements but also creating serious implications for security policy. Here is Barmet’s explanation why and what this all means for Switzerland’s priorities.

1 Mar 2019 | CSS Blog Network

Michael Rühle contends that intensifying international competition - and Russia’s assertive policies in particular - has sparked renewed interest in NATO’s nuclear deterrence. However, this is taking place just as new developments are contesting the military rationale and moral legitimacy of the concept. To provide an insight into what this means for the future of nuclear deterrence for NATO, Rühle here looks at 1) whether nuclear deterrence deters; 2) nuclear deterrence’s limits; 3) if extended deterrence works; 4) whether nuclear sharing makes sense; and more.

1 Mar 2019 | CSS Blog Network

This graphic features NATO’s Framework Nations Concept to highlight the trend of regionalization within NATO. For more on the internal challenges NATO faces, see Martin Zapfe’s chapter in Strategic Trends 2017.

27 Feb 2019 | Security Watch

Nour Samaha highlights that in recent months, the US and the EU have imposed new punitive economic measures on Syria. These measures aim to ensure that Western actors do not help strengthen the reconstituted order in Syria under President Bashar al-Assad. Further, they seek to pressure the Syrian government into behavioral change in return for sanctions relief and reconstruction aid. However, Samaha contends that the sanctions are only likely to strengthen al-Assad’s regime rather than serve Western interests, while also having a detrimental impact on the most vulnerable in Syria.

27 Feb 2019 | CSS Blog Network

According to Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León, the threat of nuclear war did not vanish following the Cold War’s end. Instead, it became subdued as the disarmament and control process appeared to create a clear path of no return. However, Zedillo argues that the geopolitical and security climate today is far removed from the heady days of 1989. Thirty years on, nuclear arms control is fast unraveling and the US is leading the march to destroy it. Even the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons could be at risk.

25 Feb 2019 | Security Watch

According to Sascha Lohmann and Kirsten Westphal, the increased use of economic instruments of power in US policy towards Russia is negatively affecting European and German interests. To highlight how, and why Europeans must find a common response to Washington and Moscow to guarantee their energy supplies and strategic autonomy, our authors explore 1) how unilateral sanctions function as a tool of US policy towards Russia; 2) the economic impact of these sanctions; and 3) US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Europe.

25 Feb 2019 | CSS Blog Network

If China attacked Taiwan, would the US’ strategic position in Asia be fatally undermined if it didn’t go to war in response? Further, would Australia’s alliance with the US be compromised if it didn’t go to war with China too? Hugh White argues that the answer to both of these questions is probably ‘yes’. However, in this blog, he also contends this does not mean that either America or Australia should go to war with China to defend Taiwan.

Feb 2019 | Publications

Piotr Maciej Kaczyński argues that since 2015, Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party has undertaken a policy of radical change. Further, some reforms, such as that of the judiciary, have put Warsaw on a collision course with EU institutions. However, Kaczyński also believes that much of the criticism Poland has received from abroad has not been nuanced enough. In response, he here provides a clearer picture by examining three aspects of the Polish-EU relationship: 1) the rule of law; 2) economic performance; and 3) Poland’s political position in the EU.

22 Feb 2019 | CSS Blog Network

According to Nathalie Tocci, the European Union will become even more relevant for future European citizens than for past generations. Indeed, she believes the complexities of the 21st century will turn the Union into a necessity for all Europeans. A reason for this is that despite Europe’s diversity, all its citizens share the same basic human needs of security, wellbeing and freedom, which Tocci argues cannot be fulfilled by Europeans without the EU. In this blog, she explains why.

20 Feb 2019 | Security Watch

How does China view Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it applies to the country’s economy and national security? In this article, Gregory Allen responds by looking at Beijing’s perspectives on AI’s importance and international security implications, China’s strengths and weaknesses in this technology, and more. He argues that Beijing perceives AI as a high strategic priority and that it’s devoting the necessary resources to cultivate its national security community’s expertise and strategic thinking. Allen also outlines what this means for the US if it wants to meet the competitive challenge posed by China.

20 Feb 2019 | CSS Blog Network

How should Europeans position themselves in the context of the unfolding global competition between the US and China? To help find an answer, Luis Simon explores 1) the evolving relationship between Sino-American competition and the current international order; 2) the question of whether it’s possible for Europe to strive for some form of geopolitical equidistance between the US and China; and 3) the viability of the concept of European strategic autonomy.

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As part of the University of Ottawa, the Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS) promotes scholarship and debate on international affairs within Canada, with a particular emphasis on international security and global governance.