Geopolitically Correct

Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno: one for all, all for one. In Switzerland, this saying is well known; it is the country’s unofficial motto.

Europe would do well to live by it, too.

Read the Essay here: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/p/unus-pro-omnibus-omnes-pro-uno

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In the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin, the miller’s daughter is forced to make impossible deals, such as spinning straw into gold.

Europe now finds itself in a similar situation.

During meetings in Alaska and Washington, President Trump set out a fast-track plan for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

But there are many obstacles ahead as the interests of Ukraine and Russia remain diametrically opposed.

However, even the most challenging of dilemmas can be overcome. Today, it is up to diplomats to attempt the seemingly impossible.

Read the Essay here: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/p/europes-rumpelstiltskin-moment

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The recent Trump–Putin meeting produced no concrete results and now, more than ever, Europe owns this war. Europeans must recognise that the United States will not take care of this problem for them. There is much European states can do, but first and foremost, geostrategic thinking must return to the forefront. In J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories, the Chamber of Secrets hides a long-forgotten place of power. Europe has such a chamber too not one of monsters and magic, but of strategy. Keeping that chamber locked has consequences: while the American and Russian presidents meet in Alaska to discuss ending the largest war on European soil since 1945, Europe is once again left watching from the sidelines. Watch the full video for more.

Read the Essay here: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/p/the-chamber-of-geostrategy

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The recent outcome of the European Union’s trade negotiations with the United States regarding tariffs has some merit. It strengthens transatlantic ties, partly due to the EU’s commitment to purchasing hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of US defence equipment and liquefied natural gas (LNG). From a European perspective, the US tariffs may appear unjust. But Washington continues to stand by its European partners.While the Trump administration pursues a clear America First agenda, the trade deal has to be seen as more of a recalibration within a functioning alliance.Read the Essay here: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/p/yes-the-west-is-stronger-now--Support Geopolitically | Correct by becoming a subscriber: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/

“Autocracy is the way forward as the democracy experiment has failed (…) Let’s try something else (…) The only values Europe has are plunder and genocide! (…) Democracy is just an illusion. Taxation and debt slavery and politicians puppets of the elites.”These are some of the comments I received in responses to last weeks essay on Europe’s post-1989 failures and my argument to defend our Western or European values with diplomacy and hard power.These comments are a fringe part of the internet. But they also reflect a deep cynicism toward the political West and are connected to the discourse which is the growing disbelief in the value of the Western or European model.In geopolitics, this poses a danger because states must respond to changes in the international system. A state's strategic culture influences the way in which it responds to systemic factors coming from the international system.The strategic culture is not formed in isolation. It emerges from the beliefs of the public and in turn, conditions the choices available to political leaders. At a time when Europe faces a renewed threat from the East and a transactional partner in the West, nihilistic voices within the public discourse do real damage.In the political West and especially in Europe we must reclaim our geopolitical role. This means reclaim strenght — militarily, diplomatically and culturally.Read the Essay here: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/p/the-sleeping-beauty-european-geopolitics --Support Geopolitically | Correct by becoming a subscriber:

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Much has been written about the decline of the West in global power. Far less attention, however, has been paid to a parallel and equally consequential trend: as of 2024, for the first time in over two decades, the number of autocracies worldwide (91) exceeds the number of democracies (88).The picture becomes even more striking when viewed in terms of population. Today, 72% of the global population live under autocratic rule, while only 28% reside in democracies. That means 5.8 billion people now live in some form of autocracy — a record high. These figures raise the question: What happens when the Western model of liberal democracy is no longer the default setting of the international system?#democracy #autocracy #europe #valuesCONTENT:00:00 – Introduction: The Return of Autocracy 02:29 – The Hangover of the 1990s 03:20 – The End of Normative Power 04:29 – Wandel durch Handel07:55 – Europe Between Power and PrincipleRead the Essay here: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/p/what-europe-forgot-after-1989--Support Geopolitically | Correct by becoming a subscriber: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/Or donate send me a one-off tip: https://buymeacoffee.com/yannickscheidegger

This week on Geopolitically Correct, something a little different.

Instead of our usual deep-dive into European geopolitics, I’m sharing reflections from a recent congress on Swiss neutrality—a topic that may seem local, but actually cuts to the heart of current global debates.

From sanctions policy to the limits of neutrality in wartime, Switzerland’s foreign policy choices are being watched closely across Europe. I had the chance to moderate a discussion at the event and wanted to bring some of those insights directly to you.

🎙️ In this episode:

• Why neutrality still matters in a world of shifting alliances

• How Switzerland navigates pressure from both the EU and broader Western partners

• Whether neutrality means indifference—or if it can still be a tool for diplomacy and peace

We also explore how neutrality is interpreted in Swiss law, where it’s headed next, and how it fits into broader European security debates—from Ukraine to sanctions to mediation efforts.

📌 A quick but important reflection on a policy that continues to evolve—and provoke debate.

💬 Do you think neutrality still offers value in today’s world? Or is it time to rethink it entirely?

👇 Let me know in the comments.

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly insights on European geopolitics, power shifts, and strategic clarity.

If Moscow rejects the ceasefire proposal which is being discussed today in Istanbul, European leaders will urge President Trump to enforce new U.S. sanctions. The EU, for its part, has just unveiled its 17th sanctions package since 2022 which includes visa bans and asset freezes for senior Russian political and business officials.However, a deeper question arises: have Western sanctions developed from mere declarations to effective instruments of power?As a neutral country, Switzerland illustrates the dilemma. Although it has adopted EU sanctions it also applies them selectively, balancing commercial interests and its commitment to neutrality. I think it is a microcosm of Europe’s broader dilemma: principles versus pragmatism.This raises the question: to what extent can Western sanctions be effective instruments of strategic leverage in negotiations with Russia, given internal fragmentation and inconsistent enforcement?

The United States will remain engaged in Europe — but not forever, and not as before. Eurasia’s strategic geography remains indispensable for American power projection, yet systemic shifts and domestic fatigue are already driving Washington toward recalibration. As Zbigniew Brzezinski warned in 1997, Europe and Ukraine are the chessboard of American grand strategy. That much has not changed. What has changed is Washington’s willingness to keep playing for others.Foreign policy, is rarely rational. Even when the international system sends clear signals — mounting threats, shrinking margins — states often stumble. Leadership perceptions, domestic distraction and political cowardice can override hard logic. Europe, tragically, is no exception. For decades, it outsourced its security to the US.That era is ending. And so the question is no longer whether Europeans must take responsibility for their own security — but whether they are willing to. So far, the answer has been uncertain.---Yannick Scheidegger is the founder of Geopolitically Correct, a platform providing insights into European geopolitics and Western resilience in a multipolar, transactional world. Subscribe for weekly analysis on Europe’s role in a shifting global order.---Follow me on: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substack.com/ Substack: https://geopoliticallycorrect.substac...X: https://x.com/y_scheidegger---I self-produce 100% of my content and would be grateful for your support.

With Donald Trump back in the White House for just over 100 days, Ukraine is feeling the consequences.In this episode, I break down how Trump’s return is shifting U.S. policy toward Ukraine — and how Zelenskyy is adapting in real time. As military aid slows, conservative voices grow louder, and global alliances shift, Kyiv is rethinking how it fights — and how it communicates.We explore:How Trump's foreign policy pivot is changing Ukraine’s strategic calculusWhy Zelenskyy is targeting the MAGA base with direct media outreachWhat the fragmentation of Europe and China’s backing of Russia mean for peaceWhat governments and businesses must prepare for in this new geopolitical phase📌 Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction01:07 – Chapter 1: The Systemic and Domestic Pressures05:10 – Chapter 2: Why These Shifts Matter07:38 – Chapter 3: Advice for Governments and Businesses09:27 – Final Takeaway💬 How do you see Ukraine’s options under Trump’s second term? Share your thoughts in the comments — Happy to discuss with you.🔔 Subscribe to Geopolitically Correct so you don’t miss the next episode — where we explore how European geopolitics#Trump2025 #UkraineWar #Geopolitics #Zelenskyy #MAGA #USForeignPolicy #EuropeanSecurity