Just two months ago, Switzerland’s new defence minister was seen as an outsider with little chance of securing a federal government post.
But Martin Pfister, an army colonel and cantonal minister who advocates for more defence co-operation with Natoand EU neighbours, is set to take office next month after defeating a more conservative rival earlier this week.
Swiss neutrality was always based on hiding under NATO's coattails. Once that is no longer an option, they'll have to rethink their strategic position.