repost

· · to read
Visit to the GCSP

Representatives of NATO‘s Comprehensive Assistance Programme for Ukraine & NATO-Ukraine Professional Development Programme visited the GCSP this week to exchange on potential support for security and education for #Ukraine.

During this visit, education in Crisis Management, Cyber Security and Strategic Anticipation was discussed.

Eden Cole Anastasiia P. Aleksandr Lapko Christian Bühlmann Gina Menghini

article

· · to read
GCSP – 23rd NISC Graduation ceremony

Today, I have attended to the 23rd New Issues in Security Course (NISC) graduation ceremony.
It was a short and moving ceremony. Ambassador Thomas Greminger welcomed the participants and their familly. NISC Course director Anna Brach reminded the participants of their upcoming challenges. Ms Assal Massoud held the participants speech and advised her colleagues to consider peace as a choice. Ms Bérangère Barthelmé, the NISC coordinator, told a brief, but heartful message.
In the end, Ms Danielle Marlyse Ngo Thena sang a wonderful, and moving, a capella rendition of the «Ode to Joy» from Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Congratulations to the participants and a safe return to their home countries and their (new) work positions.

More pictures below.
Continue reading →

article

· · to read
[REPOST] – Symposium « War in Europe: Global Perspectives for Military Leaders »

Yesterday, the GCSP organized a symposium entitled « War in Europe: Global Perspectives for Military Leaders » at the Swiss Armed Forces Military Caserne in #Bern under the leadership of Tobias Vestner, Maréva Roduit and Christian Bühlmann. 85 general staff officers were offered strategic viewpoints and insights into the implications of #war.
In their introductory remarks, Ambassador Thomas Greminger and Lieutenant General Thomas Suessli presented the key points of the war and outlined the general implications from a #Swiss and global perspective. Ambassador Thomas Greminger explained the possible scenarios for the future and presented the necessary elements for rebuilding European #security, such as restoring #trust, military risk reduction and the transformation of « In-between countries » into « Bridge countries ». A panel of experts then discussed the geopolitical implications of the conflict for Europe (Ambassador Thomas Greminger), China, Russia, the United States (Neil Melvin) and the Global South (Ambassador Yvette Stevens), and how these countries are repositioning themselves in the international order.
In interactive workshops, our GCSP experts discussed the future challenges that could arise in terms of #defense postures, modern #warfare and non-military security threats to global security. Dr. Jamie Shea explained how NATO is taking a step backwards towards collective defense, and how the EU is moving forward with #coordination and consolidation of synergies. Jean-Marc Rickli demonstrated the exponential nature of emerging technologies and how their convergence should lead us to greater foresight, #resilience and polymath thinking. Finally, Christina Schori Liang highlighted the considerable influence of non-state actors on the balance of #power and international public opinion.
The symposium led to fruitful discussions between global experts and Swiss military leaders.

article

· · to read
International Geneva and the GCSP – Presentation for SOAS / CISD

Today, students from the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, came to the GCSP. The CISD runs a Master in Global Diplomacy ;  each year, they come to Geneva to visit various Inter-governmental Organizations and Think Tanks, such as the GCSP.

I introduced International Geneva and the GCSP and I enjoyed the interaction with the very reactive participants. My presentation is available below.

Continue reading →

article

· · to read

Le 31 mai 2023, un groupe de mil@campus ainsi que de la société romande des armes spéciales (SRAS) a visité le GCSP. Au programme: conférences et exercices. Les jeunes et moins jeunes officiers ont collaboré pour analyser la situation dans la péninsule coréenne. En fin de journée, une grande satisfaction de l’organisateur et des participants qui ont découvert de nouvelles perspectives.

 

 

checkin

· · to read

Invité à l’inauguration de RUAG Innovation à Lausanne, dans le cadre d’un événement organisé en collaboration avec Unlimitrust by #SICPA, #Swissintell et #Trust Valley.

Passionnantes conférences sur les défis de la géopolitique – Jean-Philippe Gaudin (SICPA, ancien directeur SRC), les LLM – Prof. Philippe Cudré-Mauroux (eXascale Infolab, UNIFR), la vision de la Suisse comme Deeptech Nation – Dominique Mégret (Swisscom Ventures).

quote

· · to read

28 April 2023 12h00 – 14h00

Zwischen Militär, Journalismus und Politik
Internationale Perspektiven
Bruno Lezzi – Autorenlesung
The conference is held in German and is exclusively on-site at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

  • Light snacks following the event

The dramatic changes in world politics call for a renewed approach to security policy. It is difficult to find tangible solutions without knowledge of how the situation developed during the Cold War and after the strategic shift in the early 1990s.

Bruno Lezzi, a security and defence policy specialist, recalls essential milestones in this history in his latest book Von Feld zu Feld – Ein Leben zwischen Armee, Journalismus und Politik. He presents an unvarnished analysis based on his experiences as editor of the NZZ, lecturer for security policy at the University of Zurich and colonel (general staff) in the Swiss Armed Forces.

His visits to hot spots during the wars in the Balkans, Chechnya and Afghanistan have enabled him to draw concise portraits of the descriptions of these decades of tension.

article

· · to read
Interview – L’Express: Guerre en Ukraine : l’intenable neutralité de la Suisse

Interview par M. Paul Véronique pour l’Express (Paywall).

La collaboration militaire de la Suisse avec ses voisins, l’Union européenne et l’OTAN dont il est question dans l’article, c’est naturellement la (re)vente de munition et d’armement. La Suisse collabore avec plusieurs partenaires, par exemple dans les domaine de la protection de l’espace aérien, de l’armement et de l’instruction. Cependant, les conséquences de la récente révision de la Loi sur le matériel de guerre et la volonté de privilégier une interprétation formelle de la neutralité pourraient s’avérer préjudiciables à la poursuite de ces partenariats.