17th SSF Security Talk | The rules-based international order under pressure - challenges for the West and Switzerland, June 17, 2024
The Russian attack on Ukraine marked a turning point in security policy in the West and especially in Europe. The invasion of a sovereign state in defiance of international law was a clear violation of the existing rules-based (Western) world order. However, it has already been under considerable pressure for around 10-15 years and international bodies such as the UN Security Council, which among other things ensures compliance with the world order, are increasingly unable to make decisions or take action.
These developments are indicative of an emerging confrontation between two power blocs: The West on the one hand and China and Russia and their "allies" on the other. In addition, there is a group of "neutral" states that do not want to be categorised in a specific camp. However, countries in the global South in particular will play an important role in maintaining the rules-based order in the future. This is because the global order primarily protects smaller states from the expansionist drive of large, powerful states.
The experts at the 17th FSS Security Talk agreed that the carefree "Belle Epoque " is finally over and that the West must prepare for uncomfortable times. However, all representatives on the panel were of the opinion that it is very difficult to communicate this fact to the civilian population. This has been in a "deep sleep", especially over the past 30+ years, and now needs to be "woken up" again.
In the presence of almost 100 interested participants, renowned experts such as Major General Thomas Starlinger (Military Representative of Austria to the EU and NATO), Dr Markus Mäder (State Secretary for Security Policy), Dr Urs Loher (Director of the Federal Armaments Office armasuisse), Dr Marcel Berni (Lecturer in Strategic Studies ad interim at the Military Academy (MILAK) ETH Zurich) and Dr Wolfram Kuoni (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ferrexpo AG) gave presentations and held discussions.
The Swiss Security Forum (SSF) can look back on a successful event and would like to thank all those who attended for their participation.
The detailed summary report with the exciting findings from the input presentation and the panel discussion can be found here.
The programme with the panel guests can be found here.
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