Switzerland halts arms exports to US over Iran war, citing neutrality
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/switzerland-halts-arms-exports-us-over-iran-war-citing-neutralityOpen linkView original on mander.xyz444
Comments32https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/switzerland-halts-arms-exports-us-over-iran-war-citing-neutralityOpen linkView original on mander.xyz
I was very annoyed at them when they did it to Ukraine, but it’s honestly a lot more based in this context
At least no one can complain that they aren’t consistent
Switzerland has been selling weapons to Israel since 1955 from what I can tell, and I haven't been able to find any info that they've stopped recently
I see new licenses have been suspended in recent years, but I've also read that doesn't prevent sales from older licenses.
So they're as neutral as they were during WWII when they continued trading with the Nazis.
Its actually just a mirror image at that point.
TBF we (the US) were technically neutral prior to December 1941 but we traded like crazy with the British and engaged in all sorts of neutrality violations like repairing British warships in US ports. Hell, Lend-Lease was us just straight up giving war materiel to Britain and the USSR. We were even fighting a de facto war with Germany in the Atlantic.
Boats don't belong in a real blue water Navy.
/s
But Israel called Switzerland anti semitic and will do it again if Switzerland doesn't do what they ask
Well gee, we could return the things stolen from Jews by Nazis… or we could just sell weapons to Israel. That’s easier and more profitable!
Very neutral btw*
*may only apply to select European powers
With Ukraine they refuse to support a country that is being attacked, with the USA they refuse to support a country that is attacking another. While I don't condone the former, the latter is definitely based.
Does Switzerland export much in the way of weapons to the US?
Apparently what I can find
Aerial vehicles SwissDrones
Ammunition SwissP
Small arms Swiss Arms parent to SIG Sauer AG
Having said that, Sig Sauer's US arms is entirely US manufactured and some how independent of their parent. Ammo is also made in the US. So the M17, M18, MCX, and others are unlikely to be affected. Drones though... I didn't dig on that.
This sort of political cutoff and worse is why the US military has required domestic manufacturing. LE still might be impacted, but can probably deal without more guns and drones.
Having said that I do respect the swiss for cutting the US off and sticking to their neutrality.
I would too if someone hadn't just pointed out they sell weapons to Israel, and despite suspending new licenses continue selling to them under old licenses. They get no credit as far as I'm concerned.
They are talking about Swiss army knives.
Why won't the Swiss think of the American children that need access to those guns?! /s
School supplies
Bloody hell. They didn't even stop doing business with the nazis the first time round.
We stop at pétrole price
Fool me once...
What kind of arms Swiss army knife ?
They do actually make guns and stuff. Part of the whole being strong enough to remain neutral thing.
Like in 39-45 ?
And 14-18.
I'm guessing a 'Weapons package to Iran' is probably in the works from the 'neutral' nation.
That is not how the law works, currently it's: no arms for countries in armed conflicts. There is a process to adapt those rules, but it's really slow. Yes, that includes export bans on stuff to israel and iran too.
I wouldn't say Iran is the Russia in this war tbf.
Any sources on that!
...citing that another buyer pays more.
0.3% of Switzerlands BIP is from the defense industry.
GDP*
People dont care. They just read switzerland and are like: "a yeah, the evil country that got rich by hiding nazi gold" but in reallity they dont know shit. They don't wanna know.
The Bundesrat waited frustratingly long with this restriction and i am unhappy with that. So no, they really wanted to continue but their hands were kinda tued here.