The McKay Interview

In this episode of The McKay Interview, host Michael McKay sits down with Frédéric Lelièvre, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of L’Agefi, the leading financial newspaper in French-speaking Switzerland. Speaking from Lausanne, they explore the evolving landscape of Swiss banking — from overregulation to global competitiveness, from Credit Suisse's collapse to Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Drawing on Frédéric’s decades of financial journalism, the conversation tackles key issues including:

• The fall of Credit Suisse: mismanagement, weak oversight, and missed signals

• Can we still trust Swiss banks — or is overregulation part of the problem?

• Basel III: what it means, why it matters, and whether Switzerland is too compliant

• The Swiss National Bank's performance: monetary stability vs. crisis response

• Neutrality and sanctions: how the Ukraine war shook Switzerland’s financial identity

• The risks of deglobalization and Trump-era tariffs for small, export-driven economies

• The future of Switzerland as a global wealth management hub: what’s at stake?

This thoughtful and richly detailed interview is essential listening for anyone interested in Swiss finance, global economics, and how national banking systems are navigating a new era of uncertainty and geopolitical tension.

In this wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation, Sir Richard Dearlove — former Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) — joins The McKay Interview to reflect on geopolitics, national security, technology, and leadership in today’s uncertain world.

Now Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of London, and formerly Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge, Sir Richard draws from decades of public service to offer a grounded perspective on the threats and challenges shaping our era.

We cover:

• Reflections on his time in Geneva and the end of the Cold War

• How pandemics, populism, and Pax Americana have reshaped the global order

• The enduring role of state intelligence and the evolving nature of espionage

• Why AI and social media pose unique threats — and opportunities — for truth

• The “big man” theory of leadership: personality vs. system in shaping world affairs

• How to prepare future leaders and the case for national service

• The real world of MI6 vs. the myth of James Bond

Thoughtful, candid, and seasoned with wit, Sir Richard gives us not only a rare insider’s view into the world of intelligence but also a philosophical take on what holds societies together — and what might tear them apart.

In this third appearance on The McKay Interview, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges returns with hard truths and strategic insight into the war in Ukraine and its global implications. Speaking from Frankfurt, the former Commander of U.S. Army Europe reflects on what’s changed — and what hasn’t — in the 15 months since his last visit.

We cover:

• The state of the battlefield in Ukraine: territory, logistics, morale, and momentum

• Russia’s failure to gain air superiority, and why that matters

• Drones and modern warfare: how unmanned systems are rewriting battlefield tactics

• Ukraine’s evolving defense structure: manpower, training, and industrial base

• A sharp critique of U.S. and German leadership — and what it means for NATO

• What it would take for a ceasefire or peace negotiation to be credible

• Why Europe must rediscover its strategic self-confidence

• The best- and worst-case outcomes for the region — and the world

With his trademark clarity and candor, General Hodges helps us make sense of a conflict that continues to shape the 21st century.

In this episode of The McKay Interview, Michael McKay sits down with Jeremy Lack, a Geneva-based independent lawyer and one of Switzerland’s leading experts in dispute resolution. Trained as a barrister in England and admitted to the bars of New York, Geneva, and England and Wales, Jeremy has built a unique international career at the intersection of law, neuroscience, and cross-cultural conflict resolution.

Jeremy reveals how he pivoted from high-stakes intellectual property litigation to become a pioneer in mediation and appropriate dispute resolution (ADR). Drawing from over 400 mediations worldwide, he explains why classic adversarial legal systems are often ill-equipped to resolve today’s complex disputes—whether in business, families, or international diplomacy.

• What mediation actually is—and why it works when negotiation fails
• The seven factors of effective dispute resolution: cost, time, relationships, process, outcome, confidentiality, and enforceability
• Surprising insights from neuroscience about how conflict changes the human brain
• How shared meals, common ground, and third-party facilitation can rehumanize adversaries—even in high-level conflicts
• Real-world examples from boardrooms, biotech firms, and even state-level diplomacy
• Why Geneva—and Switzerland more broadly—offers one of the most forward-thinking frameworks for managing disputes

Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, lawyer, or someone simply looking to better understand human conflict, this episode offers powerful tools and eye-opening perspectives.

In this episode of The McKay Interview, we discover the Genolier Innovation Hub, Switzerland’s groundbreaking medical and biotech innovation center. Located in the French-speaking canton of Vaud, the Hub is revolutionizing how medical advancements move from research labs to real-world patient care.

Joining Michael are Antoine Hubert, Founder and Chairman of the Board, and Anna Gräbner, CEO of the Genolier Innovation Hub, who share insights into the Hub’s unique integration of healthcare, research, and industry collaboration.

In this thought-provoking discussion, we explore:

• The difference between invention and innovation in medical science
• How the Hub’s direct connection to a working clinic accelerates medical advancements
• Switzerland’s role as a global leader in medical research and biotech investment
• The balance of public-private partnerships in Swiss healthcare
• Why this facility is open to the public and how visitors can experience medical innovation firsthand

With cutting-edge facilities, leading industry partnerships, and a vision for the future of precision medicine and patient-centered care, the Genolier Innovation Hub is a model for healthcare innovation.

In this episode of The McKay Interview, Michael McKay speaks with Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of global trade and the economic forces shaping our world today.

With a career dedicated to international commerce, sustainability, and economic development, Koch Hamilton provides expert insight into the growing challenges and opportunities for businesses, governments, and international organizations navigating today’s turbulent trade environment.

In a candid conversation, McKay and Koch Hamilton explore:

• The impact of tariff wars and economic uncertainty on global trade
• How small businesses and developing economies can adapt to shifting trade policies
• The future of sustainable trade, including green initiatives and ethical supply chains
• The evolving role of regional trade agreements and economic blocs
• How businesses and nations can navigate the changing international trade system

With trade wars escalating, global economic policies shifting, and sustainability becoming a key driver of commerce, this episode offers an essential perspective on the future of international trade.

In this episode, Jean Daniel Ruch, a recently retired Swiss ambassador, joined us on the 7th January 2025, for an insightful discussion on diplomacy, neutrality, and global geopolitics.

With a distinguished career spanning multiple high-stakes postings—including Serbia and Montenegro, Israel, and Turkey—Ruch brings a wealth of firsthand experience from some of the world’s most complex regions. From his time advising on the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunal to serving as Switzerland’s special envoy for the Middle East, he shares unique perspectives on international conflict resolution and Switzerland’s evolving diplomatic stance.

In a candid conversation, McKay and Ruch explore:

• Switzerland’s neutrality and how it has been challenged in recent years, particularly with its stance on sanctions against Russia.
• The global power triangle between Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, and its implications for European stability.
• The Middle East crisis, the future of Israel-Palestine relations, and the role of Turkey in regional geopolitics.
• How trust can be rebuilt in post-war zones and the potential future of Syria after the collapse of the Assad regime.

Jean-Daniel Ruch’s frank and informed analysis offers a rare glimpse into the realities of modern diplomacy, international law, and Switzerland’s position on the world stage.

Switzerland is often described as the "hole in the EU doughnut", a country deeply intertwined with the European economy but not a member of the European Union. Today, I sit down, on January 12, 2025, with Ambassador Petros Mavromichalis, the EU’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, to discuss the complexities of this relationship.

We cover:

• Switzerland’s EU Negotiations: Why Switzerland prefers bilateral agreements over full membership and the challenges in aligning with evolving EU laws.
• The Sticking Points: How free movement of people, labor market access, and dispute resolution mechanisms have become major hurdles.
• The EU’s Economic Outlook: Can Europe compete with a growing US economy, and where does the EU see untapped potential?
• Migration and Border Challenges: How the EU is handling legal migration, the aging workforce, and the challenge of illegal migration across its vast borders.
• Climate Change and EU Leadership: The EU’s ambitious Net Zero by 2050 goal, financial commitments to developing nations, and the challenge of balancing economic realities with climate action.

Join us for a deep dive into Switzerland’s unique position in Europe, the EU’s broader strategic goals, and how both sides navigate their interdependent but often tense relationship.

Just two weeks after Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris, on the 19th November 2024, I sit down with Ambassador Jean-Arthur Regibeau, Belgium’s recently retired ambassador to the U.S. and Russia, to discuss the complex relationship between America, Russia, and Europe.

We cover:

• The U.S. Election Outcome: Why Trump’s landslide victory was both expected and surprising.
• Why the Democrats Lost: Did they lose touch with ordinary Americans?
• What Americans Want from Politicians: The growing divide between the elite and the working class.
• Russia’s Political Reality: Is Putin truly in control, and how has Russia changed since the invasion of Ukraine?
• The Future of Ukraine: Will the war end in an armistice or victory?
• Europe’s Security Concerns: Can Europe stand on its own if the U.S. shifts focus to the Pacific?
• NATO’s Changing Role: What does an expanded NATO mean for Europe’s defense?
• Cultural Clashes: Woke politics, gun control, and what Europeans misunderstand about America.
• Bridging the Divide: The role of curiosity and open dialogue in fostering mutual understanding.

Join us for an insightful discussion on global politics and the shifting dynamics between these three powerful regions.

In this episode, I sit down with Alexandre Fasel, Switzerland’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, at the Federal Palace in Bern on 25th November 2024. With the world in flux, we discuss Switzerland’s evolving role in global diplomacy, security, and multilateralism.

We explore:

• The war in Ukraine and European security: How Switzerland is engaging diplomatically amid rising geopolitical tensions.
• Swiss neutrality and sanctions on Russia: Addressing concerns over Switzerland’s position as an "honest broker" while enforcing EU sanctions.
• Switzerland and the EU: The latest on negotiations and Switzerland’s strategic relationship with its largest trading partner.
• Switzerland’s global role and soft power: From Geneva’s role as a center of global governance to innovation and scientific diplomacy.
• Swiss defense exports and neutrality: The complexities of arms exports and Switzerland’s War Material Act.
• The impact of the US elections: What a Trump victory could mean for Swiss-American relations.

Join us for an in-depth discussion on how Switzerland navigates an increasingly complex world while upholding its principles of diplomacy, neutrality, and international cooperation.