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by Guy Mettan,* Geneva
(30 November 2023) Neutrality has always been a source of debate in Switzerland, and that’s a good thing. Two centuries after it was formalised by the Congress of Vienna, neutrality served us well during the two world wars and the Cold War. In the last three decades, which have been characterised by US hegemony, it has simply no longer served us, as Switzerland has adopted American views without any problems, as there was no alternative.
by Ilan Pappe,* Israel/England
(23 November 2023) On October 24, a statement by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres caused a sharp reaction by Israel. While addressing the UN Security Council, the UN chief said1 that while he condemned in the strongest terms the massacre committed by Hamas on October 7, he wished to remind the world that it did not take place in a vacuum. He explained that one cannot dissociate 56 years of occupation from our engagement with the tragedy that unfolded on that day.
by Michael Klein,* Germany
(23 November 2023) Many activists and politicians believe they have to scare people in order to stop global warming. This has massive mental consequences, especially for the younger generation.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar,* India
(16 November 2023) The announcement late Sunday night by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquartered in Doha about the arrival of a Ohio-class American nuclear submarine in its “area of responsibility” presages a significant escalation of the situation around the Palestine-Israel conflict.
by Marita Brune
(16 November 2023) On 22 October 2023, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office made a grave error that had serious consequences not so much for the results of the Swiss National Council elections but rather for citizens’ trust in democracy. This once again raises the fundamental question of the risks of e-voting. The incorrect result was caused by a software problem: three cantons were working with an older version and the error occurred when the results were transmitted to the federal government.
by Karin Leukefeld,* Germany/Syria
(16 November 2023) Israel has problems with the United Nations. When it comes to the country’s conflict with Palestine, Israeli diplomats quickly are out of control and challenge the world organisation and its member states. The ongoing bombardment of the population in Gaza, of densely populated neighbourhoods, refugee camps, schools, hospitals, civilian infrastructure, journalists and their families show that Israel is ignoring central agreements of international law.