GENEVA: The Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) of Switzerland warned on Tuesday of the impact of shifting global power relations on security in Switzerland and beyond, voicing particular concern at growing military cooperation between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
In its annual report, the FIS noted that “Switzerland’s security environment continues to deteriorate from year to year,” pointing to a “dangerous and volatile period of transition to a new order of global power relations.”
The report emphasizes a “heavily polarised environment” marked by multiple crises and armed conflicts, particularly in Europe and its neighboring regions.
The intelligence agency emphasized that Europe is in a precarious position, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine highlighting the continent’s dependence on the United States for security. “Switzerland is significantly less secure than it was just a few years ago,” the report stated.
The FIS flagged the escalating military cooperation between a group of Eurasian autocracies as particularly alarming. This collaboration between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is reportedly influencing regional conflicts and crises.
The report warned that the political, economic, technological, and military relations among these nations, all of which harbor revisionist ambitions, have become “closer and stronger than ever.”
The FIS pointed out that these states aim to diminish US influence while opposing Western notions of political order. They are actively seeking to alter the status quo in their regions and establish their own spheres of influence.
The FIS also reiterated its concerns about the high threat of espionage within Switzerland, noting that various intelligence services maintain covert operations, often operating out of diplomatic missions.
Furthermore, the report addressed the persistent elevated threat of terrorism in Switzerland, indicating that it has become more pronounced in 2024. The FIS attributed this heightened threat to people motivated by extremist ideologies and noted an alarming trend of radicalization among minors.
