Briefings

Building Bridges Leadership Conference 2018, Washington, DC

The American Swiss Foundation held its triennial Building Bridges conference on September 27 and 28, 2018. The conference featured alumni of the annual Young Leaders Conferences and U.S. and Swiss leaders in business, government, media, and public policy. Six panel discussions were held at The Heritage Foundation and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Crypto Markets: New Money and Exchanges for the Cyber Age?

Cryptocurrencies are hailed as the future of money by some – and dismissed as a bubble by others. What are they? Crypto, bitcoin, blockchain—what does it all mean? There is more in the crypto world than currencies. What does it mean for Switzerland and for the United States?

Infrastructure Part II: Power Grids and Cyberspace

In the 21st century, the Internet and cyberspace have become standard—even mandatory—components of daily life in the Western world, whether for business, government, or individuals. Electric grids and online systems face growing challenges and threats.

Public Infrastructure in Switzerland and the United States

Reliable infrastructure is a cornerstone of modern and developed countries. Highways and railways, bridges and tunnels, the electric grid and broadband—today, these are necessary components of nearly every aspect of business and daily life.

Water, Air, and Climate Change: Energy and Environmental Policy in Switzerland and the United States

Switzerland, which lacks fossil fuels, is phasing out nuclear energy—increasing its dependence on imported energy sources. The United States, meanwhile, is headed for energy independence in the near future, aided by domestic fracking and the Keystone XL pipeline—both controversial.

Innovation: Switzerland and the United States Still Top the Charts

Both countries regularly receive highest rankings in global-innovation indices—whether for business, entrepreneurship, technology, science, or education. Why?

Switzerland and the European Union: Balancing National Sovereignty and Strong EU Connections

Switzerland is one of only a handful of Western European countries that are not members of the European Union. Nevertheless, the ties between Switzerland and the EU are close.

Corporate Tax Reform and International Competitiveness

Many observers in Switzerland and the United States place their hopes for their country’s increased global competitiveness in corporate tax reform. Swiss voters rejected a reform proposal in early 2017; the U.S. Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December of the same year.

Putting the Brakes on Government Spending: Debt Ceiling and Debt Brake

Large budget deficits and high public-sector spending and debt have been pervasive features of modern economies, including in the United States and Switzerland. Employing a debt brake has proven effective at limiting spending, though it is no silver bullet.

Building Bridges Leadership Conference 2018, Washington, DC

Crypto Markets: New Money and Exchanges for the Cyber Age?

Infrastructure Part II: Power Grids and Cyberspace

Public Infrastructure in Switzerland and the United States

Water, Air, and Climate Change: Energy and Environmental Policy in Switzerland and the United States

Innovation: Switzerland and the United States Still Top the Charts

Switzerland and the European Union: Balancing National Sovereignty and Strong EU Connections

Corporate Tax Reform and International Competitiveness

Putting the Brakes on Government Spending: Debt Ceiling and Debt Brake

Switzerland: A Global Financial Center in a Globalized World

U.S. – Swiss Trade and Investment

Switzerland’s Humanitarian Tradition

In Memoriam: Faith Whittlesey (1939-2018)