Published on 1 February 2026

Security policy

The world has become more unstable. The international security situation is characterised by tensions between major and regional powers and by growing multipolar rivalry. In Europe, Russia's military aggression against Ukraine has highlighted a break in the security architecture. In this context, Switzerland, as a neutral state, promotes multilateral dialogue and advocates disarmament.

In cooperation with international organisations, Switzerland is actively engaged in conflict resolution, combating crime, and disarmament, among other things. — © UN Photo / Sophia Paris

The current international security situation is characterised by increasing antagonism between the major powers and emerging regional powers. Cooperative security has given way to a confrontational dynamic. The world order has lost stability as a result. Russia's military aggression against Ukraine also represents a turning point in the European cooperative security architecture.

In its foreign policy, Switzerland advocates an international order based on international law. It is committed to disarmament and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and is primarily focused on cooperation within a multilateral framework in the search for solutions. In its security policy, it therefore focuses on cooperation with international organisations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Switzerland remains actively committed to security in Europe, organising the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Lugano in 2022, a National Security Advisers' Meeting in Davos in January 2024 and the Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock resort in June 2024. Switzerland also provides informal platforms to discuss the future of the security architecture in Europe.

Foreign policy is domestic policy

Today's threat landscape is characterised by growing complexity and constant change. The resulting security issues require a coordinated approach by the various offices of the Federal Administration. The Federal Council's Security Committee and the Security Core Group are the two most important bodies of the Federal Administration in this regard. In keeping with the whole-of-government approach, the FDFA, in cooperation with other departments concerned, supports the Federal Council with regular reporting on security policy challenges and their significance for Switzerland.

New security policy challenges

Developments such as the war in Ukraine, increasing competition between the major powers and globalisation mean that the challenges of today and tomorrow are becoming increasingly cross-border in nature. In addition to the competition between the major powers, new technologies, interference activity and climate change are also among the new security policy challenges.

Competition between major powers and the impact on multilateralism

The global security situation is characterised by intensified rivalry, particularly between the United States, China and Russia. This is reflected above all in the struggle for political, economic and military influence and for control of infrastructure, technologies and resources. Western nations are increasingly challenged to find a balance between their security policy and economic interests. In the context of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, the effectiveness of multilateral bodies has come under pressure. This applies in particular to the OSCE, which is fundamentally dependent on its members' willingness to compromise and find solutions. New platforms for dialogue on security in Europe have emerged, such as the European Political Community (EPC), from which Russia and Belarus are excluded. The EPC is an informal forum that meets in the form of biannual summits of heads of state and government (47 European states, including EU members and non-EU members).

New technologies

New technologies offer a wide range of opportunities for improving living conditions worldwide. However, they also harbour risks and pose fundamental challenges for countries. Through improvements to military equipment and the development of autonomous weapons systems, new technologies are fundamentally changing the way conflicts are fought and crises are managed. They increase dependence on private actors as supporters of armed and security forces (e.g. private security companies) as well as producers (e.g. tech companies).

The rapid spread of new technologies and their ease of use complicate international regulatory efforts (e.g. maintaining the international arms control and disarmament architecture). The democratisation of new technologies also increases the risk of misuse by non-state actors (e.g. unmanned aerial systems).