View source for Swiss neutrality

{{Short description|Fundamental foreign policy of Switzerland}}
{{Multiple issues|
}}

One of the main principles of [[Foreign relations of Switzerland|Switzerland's foreign policy]] is that [[Switzerland]] is not to be involved in armed conflicts between other states.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/politics_and_neutrality_switzerland|title=Domestic Politics and Neutrality (Switzerland) &#124; International Encyclopedia of the First World War (WW1)|website=encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net}}</ref> This policy is self-imposed and designed to ensure external security and promote peace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/neutrality-remains-a-core-principle/291974|title=Neutrality remains a core principle|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=25 May 2007 }}</ref>

Switzerland has the oldest policy of [[Neutral country|military neutrality]] in the world;<ref>[https://www.adducation.info/general-knowledge-politics-religion/all-neutral-countries/ List of Neutral Countries]. Adducation. 2016. Downloaded Sep. 17, 2017.</ref> it has not participated in a foreign war since its neutrality was established by the [[Treaty of Paris (1815)#Act on the Neutrality of Switzerland|Treaty of Paris]] in 1815. However, the country did have a [[Sonderbund War|civil war]] in 1847.

Although the European powers ([[Austrian Empire|Austria]], [[Kingdom of France|France]], [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|the United Kingdom]], [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portugal]], [[Prussia]], [[Russian Empire|Russia]], [[Spanish Empire|Spain]] and [[Union between Sweden and Norway|Sweden]]) agreed at the [[Congress of Vienna]] in May 1815 that Switzerland should be neutral, final ratification was delayed until after [[Battle of Waterloo|Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated]] so that some [[Hundred Days|coalition forces]] could invade France via Swiss territory.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Thomas Fleiner |author2=Alexander Misic |author3= Nicole Töpperwien |title=Swiss Constitutional Law |page=28 |publisher=[[Kluwer Law International]] |date=5 August 2005 |isbn=978-9041124043}}</ref>

The country has a history of [[armed neutrality]] going back to the [[Reformation in Switzerland|Reformation]]; it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Sheldon |first=Huntington D. |author-link=Huntington D. Sheldon |date=1955-04-23 |title=A short history of Switzerland's neutrality |url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP91T01172R000300060017-6.pdf |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2024 |title=The History of Switzerland |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/politik-geschichte/geschichte-der-schweiz.html |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Swissinfo}}</ref> apart from the [[Sonderbund War]] (Switzerland civil war), joining the [[League of Nations]] in 1920<ref name=":2" /> and did not join the [[United Nations]] until 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moving towards the UN in slow motion|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/moving-towards-the-un-in-slow-motion/291972|website=Swissinfo|date=25 May 2007 |access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> It pursues an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world.<ref name=Oppenheim-176>Lassa Oppenheim, Ronald Roxburgh (2005). ''International Law'', The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. {{ISBN|978-1-58477-609-3}}. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vxJ1Jwmyw0EC&pg=PA173 p. 173]</ref><ref>''The Parliamentary Debates from the Year 1803 to the Present Time'', Volume 32 (1 February to 6 March 1816), Hansard, [https://books.google.com/books?id=I8ETAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1231 p. 308]</ref>

On February 28, 2022, Switzerland imposed [[economic sanctions]] on [[Russia]] and froze a significant amount of assets held by Russian civilians and companies as "punishment" for the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]]. Some described this as "a sharp deviation from the country's traditional neutrality."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Shields |first1=Michael |last2=Koltrowitz |first2=Silke |date=February 28, 2022 |title=Neutral Swiss adopt EU sanctions against Russia in break with past |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/ |access-date=May 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228135146/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/ |archive-date=2022-02-28 }}</ref> According to Swiss president [[Ignazio Cassis]] in 2022 during a [[World Economic Forum]] speech, the laws of neutrality for Switzerland are based on The Hague agreement principles which include "no participation in wars; international cooperation but no membership in any military alliance; no provision of troops or weapons to warring parties and no granting of transition rights".<ref name="YouTube 2022">{{cite web | title=Welcoming Remarks and Special Address – Davos – #WEF22 | website=YouTube | date=2022-05-27 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTfW-cchpYA | access-date=2022-05-27}}</ref>

==Origins==
[[File:Europe map 1648.PNG|thumb|Switzerland after the [[Peace of Westphalia]], 1648]]
The beginnings of Swiss neutrality can be dated back to the defeat of the [[Old Swiss Confederacy]] at the [[Battle of Marignano]] in September 1515<ref name="WhyNeutral">{{cite web | last1=Andrews | first1=Evan | title=Why is Switzerland a Neutral Country? | url=http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/why-is-switzerland-a-neutral-country | date=August 3, 2016 | website=[[History (U.S. TV channel)|History]] | access-date=February 18, 2017}}</ref> or the peace treaty the Swiss Confederacy signed with [[Early modern France|France]] on November 12, 1516.<ref name="Sherman1918">{{cite journal |last=Sherman |first=Gordon E. |date=April 1918 |title=The Neutrality of Switzerland |jstor=2188141 |journal=[[The American Journal of International Law]] |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=241–250 |doi=10.2307/2188141 |s2cid=246013915 }}</ref>{{rp|page=241}} Prior to this, the Swiss Confederacy had an [[Expansionism|expansionist]] foreign policy.<ref name="WhyNeutral"/>

The [[Peace of Westphalia]] in 1648 was another important step in the development of Switzerland's neutrality.<ref name="Sherman1918"/>{{rp|page=242}} Other countries were disallowed from passing through Swiss territory, and the Confederation became legally independent from the [[Holy Roman Empire]],<ref name="Sherman1918"/>{{rp|page=242}} even though it had been independent from the Empire ''de facto'' since 1499.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | last1=Egli | first1=Emil |display-authors=etal | title=Switzerland – Expansion and Position of Power | url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland/The-Swiss-Confederation-during-the-Late-Middle-Ages | encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | access-date=February 18, 2017}}</ref>

The [[French invasion of Switzerland|1798 invasion of Switzerland]] by the [[French First Republic]] culminated in the creation of a [[satellite state]] called the [[Helvetic Republic]]. While the 1798 Swiss constitution and the 1803 [[Act of Mediation]] stated that France would protect Swiss independence and neutrality, these promises were not kept.<ref name="Sherman1918"/>{{rp|page=245}} With the latter act, Switzerland signed a defensive alliance treaty with France.<ref name="Sherman1918"/>{{rp|page=245}} During the [[Restoration and Regeneration in Switzerland#Restoration|Restoration]], the Swiss Confederation's constitution and the Treaty of Paris's [[Treaty of Paris (1815)#Act on the Neutrality of Switzerland|Act on the Neutrality of Switzerland]] affirmed Swiss neutrality.<ref name="WhyNeutral"/><ref name="Sherman1918"/>{{rp|page=246}}<ref>{{cite web | last1=Pauchard | first1=Olivier | title=The Day Switzerland Became Neutral | url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/congress-of-vienna_the-day-switzerland-became-neutral/41335520 | date=March 20, 2015 | website=[[Swissinfo]] | access-date=February 18, 2017}}</ref>

The dating of neutrality to 1516 is disputed by modern historians. Prior to 1895, no historian referenced the Battle of Marignano as the beginning of neutrality. The later backdating has to be seen in light of threats by several major powers in 1889 to rescind the neutrality granted to Switzerland in 1815. A publication by [[Paul Schweizer (historian)|Paul Schweizer]], titled {{lang|de|Geschichte der schweizerischen Neutralität}}, attempted to show that Swiss neutrality was not granted by other nations, but a decision they took themselves and thus could not be rescinded by others. The later publication of the same name by [[Edgar Bonjour]], published between 1946 and 1975, expanded on this thesis.<ref name="suter163">{{cite book|first=Andreas |last=Suter|title=Eine kleine Geschichte der Schweiz|trans-title=A small history of Switzerland|chapter=Neutralität. Prinzip, Praxis und Geschichtsbewusstsein|trans-chapter=Neutrality: principle, practice and historical awareness|publisher=Suhrkamp|location=Frankfurt am Main|year=1998|page=163|isbn=3-518-12079-4|language=de
}}</ref>

==The World Wars==
{{See also|Switzerland during the World Wars}}

===World War I===
[[File:Map 1914 WWI Alliances.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Europe in 1910 with World War I alliances highlighted. Switzerland (yellow) found itself surrounded by members of opposing alliances.]]
During the [[World War I|First World War]], Switzerland sustained its policy of neutrality despite sharing land borders with two of the [[Central Powers]] ([[German Empire|Germany]] and [[Austria-Hungary]]) and two of the [[Allies of World War I|Allied Powers]] ([[French Third Republic|France]] and [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]]). The German-speaking majority in Switzerland generally favoured the Central Powers whilst the French-speaking and Italian-speaking populations favoured the Allied Powers. This sparked internal tensions; however, the country was able to maintain its neutrality.<ref name="HDS WWI Intro">{{HDS|8926|World War I-Introduction}}</ref>

In 1917, the neutrality of Switzerland was brought into question by the [[Grimm-Hoffmann Affair]]. [[Robert Grimm]], a Swiss [[socialist]] politician, visited Russia in an attempt to negotiate a separate peace agreement between [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russia]] and Germany, in order to end the war on the [[Eastern Front (World War I)|Eastern Front]] in the interests of [[socialism]]. Grimm was supported by [[Arthur Hoffmann (politician)|Arthur Hoffman]], a [[Swiss Federal Council]]lor who was in charge of the [[Foreign relations of Switzerland|Political Department]] and headed the [[Federal Department of Foreign Affairs|Foreign Ministry]]. However, Hoffman had not consulted his fellow Councillors over this initiative, and when a telegram sent between Grimm and Hoffman was made public, the Allied Powers were outraged.

===Interwar period===
The [[League of Nations]] formally recognized Swiss neutrality on February 13, 1920.<ref name="WhyNeutral"/><ref>{{cite magazine | last1=Latson | first1=Jennifer | title=Switzerland Takes a Side for Neutrality | url=https://time.com/3695334/switzerland-neutrality-history/ | date=February 13, 2015 | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | access-date=February 18, 2017}}</ref> While the policy was not universally admired, it was respected by other countries. As a tribute, the world organization even chose [[Geneva]] as its [[headquarters]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Switzerland|last1=Czupryn|first1=Adriana|last2=Omilanowska|first2=Malgorzata|last3=Schwendimann|first3=Ulrich|publisher=Penguin Random House|year=2017|isbn=9781465460011|location=New York|pages=46}}</ref> It also exempted Switzerland from military obligations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=European Neutrals and Non-Belligerents During the Second World War|last=Wylie|first=Neville|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2001|isbn=0521643589|location=Cambridge, UK|pages=332–333}}</ref> However, the country was forced to adopt the so-called "differential neutrality", which required Switzerland to participate in economic sanctions while preserving its military neutrality, a policy initially welcomed to establish the Swiss solidarity with international efforts to promote a peaceful world order.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Swiss Foreign Policy, 1945-2002|last=Fischer|first=Gabriel|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2003|isbn=9781403912756|location=New York|pages=49}}</ref> By March 1938, however, the Swiss government was increasingly becoming opposed to this type of neutrality and reverted to absolute neutrality. The shift was not only a case of the Swiss realizing the value of their traditional policies but was also attributed to the deteriorating European economic and political relations in a period preceding World War II.<ref name=":0" />

===World War II===
Switzerland found itself completely surrounded by the [[Axis powers]] and Axis-controlled territory for most of [[World War II]]. [[Nazi Germany]] planned [[Operation Tannenbaum|an invasion of Switzerland]], and Switzerland made preparations for such an occurrence. At one point, Switzerland mobilized 850,000 soldiers.{{sfn|Bonjour|1978|p=431}} Under the leadership of [[Henri Guisan]], Switzerland developed its [[National Redoubt (Switzerland)|National Redoubt]] plan in case of an invasion. Although there were skirmishes in the air, resulting in heavy losses to the Luftwaffe, it never escalated to a full war.

Although Switzerland was criticized by many for its ambiguous stance during [[World War II]], its neutrality has been appreciated on several occasions by both European and non-European leaders.

{{Quote box
 |class = letterhead
 |quote = Of all the neutrals, Switzerland has the greatest right to distinction&nbsp;... What does it matter whether she has been able to give us the commercial advantages we desire or has given too many to the Germans&nbsp;...? She has been a democratic state, standing for freedom in self-defence&nbsp;... and largely on our side.
 |source = Letter to [[Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs|Foreign Secretary]] [[Anthony Eden]] in 1944<ref>{{cite news|last1=Koella|first1=Stephen|title=Churchill's Switzerland|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/02/opinion/l-churchill-s-switzerland-460141.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2 February 1997|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref>
 |border=none
 |title_bg = none
 |tstyle = text-align: right;
 |qalign = center
 |quoted = 1
 |author = [[Winston Churchill]]
|width=30%
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From 1943 Switzerland stopped American and British aircraft, mainly bombers, overflying Switzerland during the Second World War. On numerous occasions during the war, Allied aircraft trespassed on Swiss [[airspace]]; mostly damaged Allied bombers returning from raids over Italy and Germany whose crews preferred [[internment]] by the Swiss to becoming [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]]. Over a hundred Allied aircraft crews were interned and placed in ski resorts which were left abandoned due to the lack of tourists after the outbreak of war. They were to be held in there until the war had ended.<ref name="apogdip">{{Cite web|url=http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj00/sum00/helmreich.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505083348/http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj00/sum00/helmreich.html|url-status=dead|title=The Diplomacy of Apology: U.S. Bombings of Switzerland during World War II|archive-date=May 5, 2007}}</ref> At least 940 American airmen attempted to escape into France after the [[invasion of Normandy]], but Swiss authorities intercepted 183 internees. Over 160 of these airmen were incarcerated in a Swiss prison camp known as [[Wauwilermoos internment camp|Wauwilermoos]], which was located near Lucerne and commanded by [[André Béguin]], a pro-[[Nazism|Nazi]] Swiss officer. The American internees remained in Wauwilermoos until November 1944 when the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] lodged protests against the Swiss government and eventually secured their release.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Dwight S. |last=Mears |title=The Catch-22 Effect: The Lasting Stigma of Wartime Cowardice in the U.S. Army Air Forces |journal=[[The Journal of Military History]] |issue=77 |date=July 2013 |pages=1037–1043}}</ref>

[[File:Second world war europe 1941-1942 map en.png|thumb|Switzerland was surrounded by territory controlled by the [[Axis Powers]] from 1940 to 1944.]]
Switzerland was surrounded by Axis-controlled territory; this meant that they also suffered from [[Bombings of Switzerland in World War II|Allied bombings]] during the war. An example of this would be when [[Schaffhausen]] was accidentally bombed by American planes on April 1, 1944; the town was mistaken for [[Ludwigshafen am Rhein]], a German town 284 kilometres away.<ref name="apogdip" /><ref name="sncweb">
{{cite web |url=http://www.sncweb.ch/pressemitteilung/1_2005/maerz05/us-bomben.htm |title=US-Bomben auf Schweizer Kantone |language=de |trans-title=US bombs on Swiss cantons |website=Schweizer Nachrichten für internationale Medien |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928205411/http://www.sncweb.ch/pressemitteilung/1_2005/maerz05/us-bomben.htm |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/research/holocaust/finding-aid/military/part-1-notes.html|title=Military Agency Records|date=August 15, 2016|location=United States|website=National Archives}}</ref>

These bombing incidents tested the neutrality of Switzerland as it showed the leniency of the Swiss towards Allied airspace violations. The bombings persisted and eventually Switzerland declared a zero-tolerance policy for violation by either Axis or Allied aircraft and authorised attacks on American aircraft.<ref>{{cite book |author-link=Geoffrey Regan |last=Regan |first=Geoffrey |title=Blue on Blue – A History of Friendly Fire |publisher=Avin Books |location=New York |year=1995}}</ref>

The Swiss, although somewhat skeptical, reacted by treating these violations of their neutrality as "accidents". The United States was warned that single aircraft would be forced down, and their crews would still be allowed to seek refuge, while bomber formations in violation of airspace would be intercepted. While American politicians and diplomats tried to minimise the political damage caused by these incidents, others took a more hostile view. Some senior commanders argued that as Switzerland was "full of German sympathisers", it deserved to be bombed.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTtnAAAAMAAJ&q=Switzerland+was+full+of+German+sympathizers|title=Shot from the sky: American POWs in Switzerland|last=Prince|first=Cathryn|publisher=[[Naval Institute Press]]|year=2003|isbn=1-55750-433-4|location=Annapolis, Maryland|page=179}}</ref> General [[Henry H. Arnold]], Commanding General of the [[U.S. Army Air Forces]], even suggested that it was the Germans themselves who were flying captured Allied planes over Switzerland in an attempt to gain a propaganda victory.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3SRqcl3FsBEC&q=watime+intelligence+reports+of+allen+dulles|title=From Hitler's Doorstep: the Wartime Intelligence Reports of Allen Dulles, 1942–1945|last=Petersen|first=Neal|publisher=[[Penn State Press]]|year=1996|isbn=0-271-01485-7|location=[[University Park, Pennsylvania]]|page=398}}</ref>

==1945–present== 
{{See also|Switzerland–NATO relations}}
Following World War II, Switzerland began taking a more active role in humanitarian activities.<ref name="WhyNeutral"/>

It joined the [[United Nations]] after [[2002 Swiss referendums|a March 2002 referendum]]. 10 years after Switzerland joined the [[United Nations|UN]], in recorded votes in the [[United Nations General Assembly]], Switzerland occupied a middle position, siding from time to time with member states like the United States and Israel, but at other times with countries like China. In the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] Switzerland sided much more with Western countries and against countries like China and Russia.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hug |first1=Simon |last2=Wegmann |first2=Simone |date=2013 |title=Ten years in the United Nations: Where does Switzerland stand? |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/spsr.12034 |journal=[[Swiss Political Science Review]] |language=en |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=212–232 |doi=10.1111/spsr.12034 |issn=1424-7755}}</ref>

Switzerland participated in the development of the [[International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers]] (ICoC), intended as an oversight mechanism of private security providers. In September 2015, a "Federal Act on Private Security Services provided Abroad" was introduced, in order to "[preserve] Swiss neutrality", as stated in its first article.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/20122320/index.html |title=Federal Act on Private Security Services provided Abroad |date=1 September 2015 |website=Portal of the Swiss Government |access-date=13 March 2017 | language=en}}</ref> It requires Switzerland-based [[private security companies]] to declare all operations conducted abroad, and to adhere to the ICoC. Moreover, it states that no physical or moral person falling under this law can participate directly—or indirectly through the offer of private security services—in any hostilities abroad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/fr/dfae/politique-exterieure/politique-securite/bundesgesetz-ueber-die-im-ausland-erbrachten-privaten-sicherheit.html |title=Loi fédérale sur les prestations de sécurité privées fournies à l'étranger |date=6 December 2016 |website=Portal of the Swiss Government |access-date=13 March 2017 | language=fr}}</ref> In 2016, the Section of Private Security Services (SPSS), an organ of the [[Federal Department of Foreign Affairs]] in charge of the procedures defined by the new law, has received 300 approval requests.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/2017/03/12/pression-berne-entreprises-securite-privees-sortent-lombre |title=Sous pression de Berne, les entreprises de sécurité privées sortent de l'ombre |date=12 March 2016 |newspaper=Le Temps |access-date=13 March 2017 | language=fr}}</ref>

In 2011, Switzerland registered as a candidate for a seat on the [[United Nations Security Council]] in 2023–2024. In a 2015 report requested by parliament, the government stated that a Swiss seat on the Security Council would be "fully compatible with the principles of neutrality and with Switzerland’s neutrality policy". Opponents of the project such as former ambassador Paul Widmer consider that this seat would "put its [Switzerland] neutrality at risk".<ref>[https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/neutrality_will-parliament-bury-switzerland-s-un-security-council-candidacy--/45041020 What will happen to Switzerland’s bid for the UN Security Council?], June 20, 2019, SWI swissinfo.ch, [[Swiss Broadcasting Corporation]]</ref>

In 2014 Switzerland did not adopt [[International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War|EU-sanctions]] against [[Russia]] after the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexation of Crimea]], but implemented rules that prevented bypassing the sanctions imposed by the [[European Union]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=swissinfo.ch |first=<Peter Siegenthaler> |title=EU-Sanktionen: umstrittene Position der Schweiz |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/politik/ukraine-krise_eu-sanktionen--umstrittene-position-der-schweiz/40567936 |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=24 August 2014 |language=de}}</ref>

A 2018 survey found that 95% of Swiss were in favor of maintaining neutrality.<ref>[https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/focus-page-foreign-policy_how-neutral-is-switzerland--really-/45810276 How neutral is Switzerland, really?], SWI swissinfo.ch, [[Swiss Broadcasting Corporation]]</ref>

=== Sales of Chemical warfare equipment to Iraq ===
Switzerland was involved in [[Iraqi invasion of Iran|Iraqi Invasion of Iran]],<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20040601181327/http://projects.sipri.se/armstrade/Trnd_Ind_IRQ_Imps_73-02.pdf</ref> by providing dual use material and technology that [[Iraqi chemical attacks against Iran|allowed Iraq to target Iranian troops and civilians]],<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170510104458/http://www.cbrneworld.com/_uploads/download_magazines/Long_legacy.pdf</ref> leaving more than 100,000 [[Disabled Iranian veterans|casualties]]. Switzerland also sold chemical warfare defense equipment to Iran,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20130607155707/http://csis.org/files/media/csis/pubs/9005lessonsiraniraqii-chap10.pdf</ref> and later joined a multinational team of specialists dispatched by the UN to Iran to investigate and confirm the casualties.

=== Conflicts in the Middle East ===
The Swiss Armed Forces participated in the U.S.-led [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] as observers, in what the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation described as the nation's "first military deployment since 1815".<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Switzerland 'regrets' US sanctions against ICC employees |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/international-accountability_switzerland--regrets--us-sanctions-against-icc-employees/45830070 |date=13 June 2020 |website=Swissinfo |language=en}}</ref> During the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], the [[United States]] was given permission to use Swiss airspace for surveillance missions over [[Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jacob |last=Greber |title=US allowed limited use of Swiss airspace |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/us-allowed-limited-use-of-swiss-airspace/3176190 |work=[[Swissinfo]] |date=20 March 2003}}</ref>

Switzerland sent weapons to [[Egypt]], [[Bahrain]], [[Saudi Arabia]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]], some of which were involved in the [[Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Swiss weapons exports – an explosive business |url=https://www.swisscommunity.org/en/news-media/swiss-review/article/swiss-weapons-exports-an-explosive-business |work=Swiss Community |publisher=Organisation of the Swiss Abroad |date=15 November 2016}}</ref>

===Russian invasion of Ukraine===
{{see also|Russia–Switzerland relations}}
The [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] sparked debate over the meaning and status of Swiss neutrality.<ref>{{cite web | last=O'Sullivan | first=Domhnall | title=How two years of war in Ukraine have marked Switzerland | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=24 February 2024 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/russia-ukraine-war-how-switzerland-has-reacted-to-two-years-of-conflict-in-europe/72897134 | access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> In February 2022, Switzerland adopted [[International sanctions during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine#EU sanctions|sanctions imposed by the European Union]] against Russia in response to the invasion.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shields |first1=Michael |last2=Koltrowitz |first2=Silke |date=2022-02-28 |title=Neutral Swiss join EU sanctions against Russia in break with past |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/ |access-date=2022-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Illien |first=Noele |date=2022-03-07 |title=Switzerland joined in sanctions, but Russia's oil, metals and grains still trade there |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/business/russia-switzerland-sanctions.html |access-date=2022-03-08 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against Russia |url=https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-87386.html |access-date=2022-10-13 |location=Switzerland |publisher=Federal Council}}</ref> While Switzerland follows [[Neutral country#Rights and responsibilities of a neutral power|defined rules]] to remain neutral in military conflicts, it imposed sanctions for this "serious violation of the most fundamental norms of international law ... within the scope of its political room for manoeuvre".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/fdfa/aktuell/newsuebersicht/2022/03/neutralitaet.html | title=Questions and answers on Switzerland's neutrality |location=Switzerland |publisher=Federal Council |date=9 September 2022 |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref> 

According to federal councilor [[Viola Amherd]], Switzerland is only involved in humanitarian missions and will not allow direct shipments of arms to the war zone from or through its territory.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/srf-news-spezial/video/medienkonferenz-des-bundesrats-zum-krieg-in-der-ukraine?urn=urn:srf:video:6c961cf6-19ae-455c-8991-f878ba748354 |title=Medienkonferenz des Bundesrats zum Krieg in der Ukraine |trans-title=Media conference of the Federal Council on the war in Ukraine |publisher=[[Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen]] |lang=de,fr,it |access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> Irrespective of the actual laws governing a [[neutral country]], many media outlets still labelled this as a break with 500 years of Swiss neutrality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2022 |first=Alex |last=Seitz-Wald |title='A new Europe' united against Russia – even neutral Switzerland |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/-new-europe-united-russia-even-neutral-switzerland-rcna18028 |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Sam |date=2022-02-28 |title=Swiss break neutrality tradition to match EU sanctions on Russia |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/80c268fa-61d4-42ac-a9f4-310f12678c43 |access-date=2022-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Switzerland drops neutrality, backs EU sanctions on Russia, Putin. Get the latest. |agency=Associated Press |date=February 28, 2022 |url=https://www.koamnewsnow.com/i/switzerland-drops-neutrality-backs-eu-sanctions-on-russia-putin-get-the-latest/ |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=KOAM |language=en-US |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327032046/https://www.koamnewsnow.com/i/switzerland-drops-neutrality-backs-eu-sanctions-on-russia-putin-get-the-latest/ |archive-date=2022-03-27}}</ref> Russia perceived the sanctions in a similar way, as it rejected Switzerland's offer to mediate the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Russia rejects Swiss plan to act as a go-between with Ukraine |date=11 August 2022 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/11/russia-rejects-swiss-plan-to-act-as-a-go-between-with-ukraine |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2022, Switzerland further adopted the sanctioning of Russia by the European Union and froze many Russian bank accounts.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shields |first1=Michael |last2=Koltrowitz |first2=Silke |date=2022-02-28 |title=Neutral Swiss join EU sanctions against Russia |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-swiss-adopt-sanctions-against-russia-2022-02-28/ |access-date=2022-03-05}}</ref> Analysts said the move would affect the [[Swiss economy]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thelocal.ch/20220305/neutral-switzerlands-economy-shaken-by-sanctions-on-russia/ | title=Neutral Switzerland's economy shaken by sanctions on Russia |work=The Local | date=5 March 2022 |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20220305-surounded-by-nato-and-eu-switzerland-backs-anti-russia-sanctions-but-it-comes-with-a-price | title=Abandoning neutrality, Switzerland backs anti-Russia sanctions-but it comes with a price |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=5 March 2022 |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref>

In March 2022, former [[Federal Council (Switzerland)|Swiss federal councilor]] [[Christoph Blocher]] announced the [[ballot initiative]] 'Pro Souveräne Schweiz' (PSS), which would amend "integral neutrality" to the [[Swiss constitution]]. If approved, economic sanctions for example against Russia in 2022, would constitute a violation of Swiss neutrality. The initiative scheduled to be launched in fall 2022 was supported by the right-leaning [[Swiss People's Party]] (SVP).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blick.ch/politik/neutralitaets-initiative-blocher-will-im-herbst-loslegen-id17488514.html |title=Blocher will im Herbst loslegen |language=de |website=Blick |date=14 May 2022 |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref>

In April 2022, the [[Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research|Federal Department of Economic Affairs]] vetoed [[Germany]]'s request to [[Re-exportation|re-export]] Swiss ammunition to Ukraine on the basis of Swiss neutrality and the mandatory rejection criteria of the war material legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swiss-veto-german-request-re-export-ammunition-ukraine-paper-2022-04-24/|title=Swiss veto German request to re-export ammunition to Ukraine, SonntagsZeitung reports|date=2022-04-24|first=Michael|last=Shields|editor1-last=Kasolowsky|editor1-first=Raissa|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref>  The defence ministry of Switzerland, initiated a report in May 2022 analyzing various military options, including increased cooperation and joint military exercises with NATO.<ref name=leans/> However, NATO membership remains unpopular. A poll from March 2022 found that 27% of those surveyed supported Switzerland joining NATO, while 67% were opposed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lematin.ch/story/trois-quarts-des-suisses-approuvent-les-sanctions-europeennes-971374128302|title=Trois quarts des Suisses approuvent les sanctions européennes contre la Russie |language=fr |trans-title=Three quarters of Swiss approve of European sanctions against Russia |date=2022-03-23|first=Eric|last=Felley|newspaper=Le Matin }}</ref>  Another from May 2022 indicated 33% of Swiss supported [[Switzerland–NATO relations|NATO membership for Switzerland]], and 56% supported increased ties with NATO.<ref name="leans">{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/neutral-switzerland-leans-closer-nato-response-russia-2022-05-15/ |title= Analysis: Neutral Switzerland leans closer to NATO in response to Russia |website= Reuters |date= 16 May 2022 |first= John |last= Revill |access-date= 18 May 2022}}</ref>

In September 2022 the [[Parliament of Switzerland]] voted against a revision of its law to impose independent sanctions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Eigenständige Schweizer Sanktionen sind vorerst vom Tisch |trans-title=Independent Swiss sanctions off the table for the time being |url=https://www.parlament.ch/de/services/news/Seiten/2022/20220929130242730194158159038_bsd115.aspx |access-date=2022-10-13 |publisher=[[Federal Assembly (Switzerland)|Federal Assembly]]}}</ref> Therefore Switzerland can still only adopt sanctions imposed by the [[United Nations Security Council]], the [[European Union|EU]] or the [[OECD]].<ref name=":1" />

In July 2023, Switzerland signed a declaration of intent to join the [[European Sky Shield Initiative]] (ESSI), to contribute to building a pan-European air and [[Missile defense|missile defense system]], while also allowing the nation to train with and purchase military systems together with other [[European nations]], newly raising questions about the future and practicalities of the policy of neutrality.<ref name="bbc-essi">{{cite web |last=Foulkes |first=Imogen |date=7 July 2023 |title=Neutral Swiss and Austrians join Europe's Sky Shield defence |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66130857 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707173858/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66130857 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |access-date=8 July 2023 |website=BBC News}}</ref> In October 2024 Switzerland joined the ESSI.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-switzerland-signs-declaration-join-european-sky-shield-initiative-2024-10-18/ (Reuters)]</ref>

A [[List of Swiss federal referendums|referendum]] on enshrining neutrality into Switzerland's constitution is expected in 2025, after sufficient signatures were collected to certify the initiative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/6966223/switzerland-neutrality-initiative-vote/|title=The People of Switzerland Will Get to Vote on Their Country's Famous 'Neutrality'|date=2024-04-12|accessdate=2024-04-12|publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>

==Criticism==
Swiss neutrality has been questioned at times, notably regarding [[Switzerland during the World Wars|Switzerland's role during World War II]] and the [[ICRC]], the looted [[Nazi gold#Disposal|Nazi gold]] (and later during [[Operation Gladio#Switzerland|Operation Gladio]]), its economic ties to the [[apartheid]] regime in [[South Africa]], and more recently in the [[Crypto AG]] espionage case.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/scandale-crypto-plusieurs-ministres-savaient-selon-presse |title=Scandale Crypto: plusieurs ministres savaient, selon la presse |language=fr |trans-title=Crypto scandal: several ministers knew, according to the press |agency=[[Swiss Telegraphic Agency]] |date=16 February 2020 |newspaper=Le Temps |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/press-review_latest-spy-scandal--shatters-swiss-neutrality---say-papers/45553888 |title=Latest spy scandal 'shatters Swiss neutrality', say papers |date=February 12, 2020 |first=Thomas |last=Stephens |website=Swissinfo |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/spying-affair_has--crypto-leaks--exposed-swiss-neutrality-as-a-sham-/45558476 |title=Has 'Crypto Leaks' exposed Swiss neutrality as a sham? |date=February 14, 2020 |first=Kathrin |last=Ammann |website=Swissinfo |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uek.ch/en/publikationen1997-2000/golde.pdf |title=Switzerland and Gold Transactions in the Second World War |author=Bergier Commission |date=May 1998 |access-date=5 July 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/history-holocauste-020205.htm |title=ICRC in WW II: the Holocaust |publisher=International Committee of the Red Cross |date=23 January 2020 |access-date=2012-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/nazis/readings/sinister.html|title=The Sinister Face Of 'Neutrality' |work=Frontline |publisher=PBS |author=Institute of the World Jewish Congress |date=<!--not given--> |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref>

Swiss aid to Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022 has led some to questioning whether Switzerland is fully neutral anymore. Some have called for changing the laws of neutrality.<ref>Thomas Quinn Marabello. "Challenges to Swiss Democracy: Neutrality, Napoleon, & Nationalism," Swiss American Historical Society Review: Jun. 2023, Vol. 59: No. 2. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol59/iss2/5</ref>

==See also==
* [[Neutral country]]
* [[Austrian neutrality]]
* [[Finlandization]] 
* [[Irish neutrality]]
* [[Moldovan neutrality]]
* [[Neutral and Non-Aligned European States]]
* [[Non-interventionism]]
* [[Swedish neutrality]]
* [[Switzerland–NATO relations]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/modernswitzerlan00luck |url-access=registration |title=Modern Switzerland |editor-first1=James Murray |editor-last1=Luck |editor-first2=Lukas F. |editor-last2=Burckhardt |editor-first3=Hans |editor-last3=Haug |year=1978 |publisher=The Society for the Promotion of Science and Scholarship Inc. |isbn=0-930664-01-9 |chapter=Swiss Neutrality During Two World Wars|first1=Edgar |last1=Bonjour|pages=[https://archive.org/details/modernswitzerlan00luck/page/419 419]–438}}
* {{cite journal | title=Swiss Intellectuals and the Cold War: Anti-Communist Policies in a Neutral Country | author=Buclin, Hadrien | journal=[[Journal of Cold War Studies]] | date=Fall 2017 | volume=19 | issue=4 | pages=137–167 | doi=10.1162/jcws_a_00767| s2cid=57565148 }}
*Thomas Quinn Marabello. "Challenges to Swiss Democracy: Neutrality, Napoleon, & Nationalism," ''Swiss American Historical Society Review'', Jun. 2023, Vol. 59: No. 2. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol59/iss2/5{{Switzerland topics}}
{{Foreign relations of Switzerland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Foreign relations of Switzerland|Neutrality]]
[[Category:Political history of Switzerland|Neutrality]]
[[Category:International relations theory]]
[[Category:Non-interventionism]]
[[Category:Neutrality by country]]