Bruno Russi,
Colonel (ret.), Former Swiss Defence Attaché,
Independent analyst
Sir,
Particularly in times of crises or heightened tensions misjudgements as to interests, positions, processes, intentions of critical international players can lead to policy failures with unpredictable consequences. In case of the Russian Federation a lack of Russian language-skills in many non-Russian administrations make it more difficult to access authoritative analyses, but also lacking cultural knowledge, and emotion-based narratives can aggravate the problem further. It is thus all the more important for sound policy advice and policy choices, that decision-makers, diplomats, military, and political analysts have a reliable analytical foundation, rooted in trustworthy, knowledgeable, and experienced expert sources.
In this sense, the Security Index Yearbook of PIR Center is an indispensable trove. It contains a rare and at the same time extensive selection of authoritative analyses from experts in political, military, government, academic, diplomatic, as well as journalistic fields. It is not only convincing in covering global issues from nuclear weapons, strategic nuclear arms control, cyber space, and international terrorism to lethal autonomous weapons-systems and new conventional weapons-systems but also in presenting Russia’s interests and positions concerning regional security i.e. the strategic partnership with China, Russia’s interests in the Near and Middle East, in Africa, Latin America and the role Russia plays between the West and Greater Eurasia and not least in Ukraine. The relationship with the United States is dealt with under a number of aspects ranging from “paradigms” in the relationship, domestic considerations, mutual perceptions to nuclear arms control.
But the editors do not content themselves with analyses of current burning global and regional issues and Russian approaches to them, but are also looking into cooperative formats like BRICS, SCO, CSTO, or the UN. Particularly useful is the look at the near-term future from a Russian perspective. A desideratum for the next edition, however, would be a chapter on the OSCE. What future is there for the organisation, in which the Russian Federation is a full member? What is the potential and what role can the OSCE play in future? What role can and will Russia play in the organisation?
Considering all these factors, the Security Index Yearbook of PIR Center is an important contribution to building security and predictability, by clarifying positions, processes, interests, and intentions of the Russian Federation in a broad range of issues. The fact that PIR Center produced a “Global Edition” in English, makes it readily accessible to security analysts, decision-makers, diplomats, and military around the world.
Bern, October 2025
