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Switzerland

„Schools are saturated with ideology“

The new Syllabus for high schools wants to improve the world. Critics warn of indoctrination, and some cantons have already expressed opposition

by Nadja Pastega, Journalist at the SonntagsZeitung

(5 April 2024) Reading, writing and arithmetic are no longer enough. Schools are getting more and more tasks. The draft for a new framework Syllabus is now available for the Swiss A-level schools. It is 136 pages long. In an earlier version there were even 400 pages.
Germany

Taurus threatens us all

No delivery, no further war escalation!

Craftsmen for Peace,* Dessau-Rosslau

(5 April 2024) With French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement not to rule out the use of NATO troops and plans by some hardliners to use Taurus cruise missiles against Russia, war in Donbass looms to expand in Europe. Whatever the opinion on this war, facts remain the same for both supporters and opponents of Taurus missiles’ delivery:

With its role in the Ukraine war the European Union may risk its own political future

Michael von der Schulenburg* and Hans-Joachim Funke**

(5 April 2024) The deteriorating military situation in Ukraine and the United States increasing withdrawal from this war created a situation in which the EU is now pushed into the forefront in dealing with this problem.

Probably for the first time since the end of the Second World War, the EU would thus have the opportunity, independent of US geopolitical considerations, to take a lead in determining Europe's fate in such a crucial issue as war and peace in Europe.

“The USA and China should assume shared responsibility for the global community”

by Prof. em. Beat Schneider,* Bern

(29 March 2024) (Ed.) This contribution arose from a lecture given by Beat Schneider as part of an event organized by the “Swiss Standpoint” on the topic “Thoughts on Chinese modernization. Is China a capitalist country?” on March 22/23, 2024. He is referring to his current publication “China’s Long March into Modernity”. It is characterized above all by the following two characteristics: In its portrayal of China, it starts from a consistently non-Eurocentric point of view and it presents Chinese culture as a culture of “as well as”.

Switzerland and the EU have gone astray with their sanctions policy against Russia

Russians, whether sanctioned or not, are placed under general and suspicion in the sense of collective punishment. A reorientation is overdue

by Carl Baudenbacher,* Switzerland

(29 March 2024) February 24, 2024 marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. The European Union then imposed sanctions, which Switzerland joined. In Europe, the United Kingdom has also set up its own sanctions regime. In addition to companies and organizations, the sanctions list includes individuals accused of supporting, financing or carrying out actions that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or of profiting from such actions. Sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes.

“Rethinking War”

by Stefan Hofer,* Switzerland

(29 March 2024) When the Russian army took military action against Ukraine in February 2022, after Ukraine had refused to agree with Russia's demands

– Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership

– No bases of NATO or other foreign armies on the territory of Ukraine

– No stationing of NATO weapons on the territory of Ukraine

– Disarmament of the fascist Azov Brigades

– Safeguard the rights of the Russian population in Donbass through immediate full implementation of the Minsk Agreement

and even negotiate, an outcry went through the Western mainstream media: the use of military force to enforce political demands is an incredibly unacceptable crime in this day and age.