Dr Marco Wyss

Lecturer in the International History of the Cold War

Career Details

Marco Wyss is the Director of the Centre for War and Diplomacy, and Lecturer in the International History of the Cold War. Before, he worked as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chichester, and a Senior Researcher at the Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich. He also was a Senior Researcher at the University of Lausanne and a Visiting Professor at Sciences Po Lille. Marco holds an MA in History and Philosophy from the University of Neuchâtel, and an MA in International History from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, and gained his PhD in Politics and International Relations, as well as in History, from the Universities of Nottingham and Neuchâtel.

Research Overview

My research focuses predominantly on the international history of the Cold War. While the initial focus was on the role of neutrality and Britain in the East-West struggle, I am currently working on the Cold War in the so-called Third World, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa and in relation to Britain's and France's postcolonial security roles in this region. Meanwhile, I have also carried out research on peacekeeping in Africa, and the transformation of European armed forces since the end of the Cold War. Prior to moving into and beyond the Cold War, I carried out research on volunteers in the Waffen-SS.

Research Interests

Currently, my major research project examines and compares the postcolonial security roles of Britain and France in West Africa within the framework of decolonisation and the Cold War (1958-1965). The aim is to analyse how the imperial powers negotiated with Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire the transfer of power to maintain influence against the pressures from the Cold War and its superpowers, African nationalism, Pan-Africanism, and non-alignment. This allows us to assess whether West Africa was part of individual or common British and French post-imperial or, rather, Cold War grand strategic designs. The project intentionally avoids a Eurocentric perspective by drawing on multi-archival research in Africa, Europe, and the United States, the recent historiography of imperial history and decolonisation, Africa, the Cold War, and post-colonial theory. Ultimately, it aims to contribute to and advance the study of the Global Cold War.

Meanwhile, I have also developed a keen interest in the transformation of European armed forces, as well as France’s current security role and peacekeeping in Africa. This has led, among other things, to two co-edited volumes – a book (Routledge, 2014) and a journal special issue (Journal of International Peacekeeping) – on peacekeeping in Africa. I have an on-going research interest in both African and European security studies. Currently, I am co-editing a more than fifty chapters long Handbook of European Armed Forces for Oxford University Press.

The bulk of my research so far has been in Cold War history. In addition to various articles, I have published a book on Arms Transfers, Neutrality and Britain’s Role in the Cold War (Brill, 2013), and three co-edited volumes – a book (Routledge, 2016) and two journal special issues (The International History Review and Relations Internationales) on neutrality and neutralism/non-alignment in the Global Cold War. My earlier historical research has been on the Second World War. This has led, among other publications, to a book on the man behind the recruitment and the policies of the SS and the Waffen-SS outside the Third Reich’s borders (Alphil-Presses universitaires suisses, 2010).

At a more practical level, I have advised and authored studies for government ministries in Britain and abroad, notably the British Foreign Office, the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service, and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, I have also given talks at and worked with think tanks, such as the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), and the International Peace Institute.

Research Grants

I have received grants from the British Academy and the Swiss National Science Foundation. From the latter I have obtained both individual and project grants.

Current Teaching

HIST258: The Cold War in Europe

HIST355: A Global History of the Cold War

External Roles

Research Fellow, Centre for Africa Studies, University of the Free State

Associate Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London.

Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Military History and Historiography, Brill.

Co-Editor (with Jussi M. Hanhimäki), Book Series 'New Perspectives on the Cold War', Brill.

President, Bibliographical Committee of the International Commission of Military History.

PhD Supervision Interests

I would welcome enquiries on topics related to the Cold War generally, but I would be specifically interested in proposals related to the Cold War in Europe and/or Africa. Meanwhile, I am also open to enquiries in relation to the following themes: British Foreign, Security and Defence policy since 1945, peacekeeping, and the transformation of armed forces.

Show less

Upside Down: Reframing European Defence Studies
Meijer, H., Wyss, M. 1/08/2019 In: Cooperation and Conflict. 54, 3, p. 378-406. 29 p.
Journal article

The United States, Britain, and Cold War Military Assistance to Nigeria
Wyss, M. 1/12/2018 In: The Historical Journal. 61, 4, p. 1065-1087. 23 p.
Journal article

Europe and China in the Cold War: Exchanges Beyond the Bloc Logic and the Sino-Soviet Split
Schaufelbuehl, J.M., Wyss, M., Zanier, V. 26/11/2018 Boston and Leiden : Brill. ISBN: 9789004388123.
Book

Introduction: Europe and China in the Cold War: Exchanges Beyond the Bloc Logic and the Sino-Soviet Split
Schaufelbuehl, J.M., Wyss, M., Zanier, V. 26/11/2018 In: Europe and China in the Cold War. Boston and Leiden : Brill p. 1-15. 15 p. ISBN: 9789004388123.
Chapter

Introduction: Beyond CSDP: The Resurgence of National Armed Forces in Europe
Wyss, M., Meijer, H. 11/07/2018 In: The Handbook of European Defence Policies and Armed Forces. Oxford : Oxford University Press p. 1-31. ISBN: 9780198790501.
Chapter

The Handbook of European Defence Policies and Armed Forces
Meijer, H., Wyss, M. 11/07/2018 Oxford : Oxford University Press. 1008 p. ISBN: 9780198790501.
Book

The Challenge of Western Neutralism: Britain and the Buildup of a Nigerian Air Force
Wyss, M. 1/07/2018 In: Journal of Cold War Studies. 20, 2, p. 99-128. 30 p.
Journal article

Whose ‘West Africa’?: The regional dynamics of peace and security
Charbonneau, B., Chafer, T., Wyss, M. 24/10/2017 In: Journal of Contemporary African Studies. 35, 4
Special issue

France and the economic community of West African states: peacekeeping partnership in theory and practice
Wyss, M. 6/07/2017 In: Journal of Contemporary African Studies. 35, 4, p. 487-505. 19 p.
Journal article

A Post-Imperial Cold War Paradox: The Anglo-Nigerian Defence Agreement 1958-1962
Wyss, M. 11/2016 In: Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History. 44, 6, p. 976-1000. 25 p.
Journal article

The Armed Neutrality Paradox: Sweden and Switzerland in US Cold War Armaments Policy
Nilsson, M., Wyss, M. 1/04/2016 In: Journal of Contemporary History. 51, 2, p. 335-363. 29 p.
Journal article

Introduction: A Tightrope Walk - Neutrality and Neutralism in the Global Cold War
Wyss, M., Hanhimäki, J.M., Bott, S., Schaufelbuehl, J.M. 2016 In: Neutrality and Neutralism in the Global Cold War. London : Routledge p. 1-14. 14 p. ISBN: 9781138886216.
Chapter

Neutrality and Neutralism in the Global Cold War: Between or Within the Blocs?
Bott, S., Hanhimäki, J.M., Schaufelbuehl, J.M., Wyss, M. 2016 London : Routledge. 224 p. ISBN: 9781138886216.
Book

Will History Repeat Itself?: The Presidential Elections and Security in Ivory Coast
Wyss, M. 12/10/2015
Other contribution

Choosing Sides in the Global Cold War: Switzerland, Neutrality, and the Divided States of Korea and Vietnam
Schaufelbuehl, J.M., Wyss, M., Bott, S. 1/09/2015 In: The International History Review. 37, 5, p. 1014-1036. 23 p.
Journal article

Non-Alignment, the Third Force, or Fence-Sitting: Independent Pathways in the Cold War
Schaufelbuehl, J.M., Bott, S., Hanhimäki, J.M., Wyss, M. 1/09/2015 In: The International History Review. 37, 5, 11 p.
Editorial

"A Considerable Windfall of Swiss Francs": La politique d'armement britannique envers la Suisse au début de la Guerre froide
Wyss, M. 2015 In: Revue Suisse d'Histoire. 65, 2, p. 230-248. 19 p.
Journal article

Beyond and Between the Cold War Blocs
Bott, S., Hanhimäki, J.M., Schaufelbuehl, J.M., Wyss, M. 2015 In: The International History Review. 37, 5
Special issue

Le rôle international de la Suisse dans la Guerre froide globale: un équilibre précaire
Bott, S., Hanhimäki, J.M., Schaufelbuehl, J.M., Wyss, M. 2015 In: Relations internationales. 163, 12 p.
Editorial

Suisse et Guerre froide dans le tiers-monde
Bott, S., Hanhimäki, J.M., Schaufelbuehl, J.M., Wyss, M. 2015 In: Relations internationales. 2015, 163
Special issue

Bienfait ou malédiction pour les efforts de maintien de la paix?: Le rôle de la France dans la crise ivoirienne
Wyss, M. 2014 In: La Côte d'Ivoire. L'Harmattan p. 89-103. 15 p.
Chapter

Introduction: Africa - the Peacekeeping Laboratory
Wyss, M., Tardy, T. 2014 In: Peacekeeping in Africa. London : Routledge p. 1-14. 14 p. ISBN: 9780415715720, 9781138940246.
Chapter

Peacekeeping in Africa: The Evolving Security Architecture
Tardy, T., Wyss, M. 2014 London : Routledge. 280 p. ISBN: 9781138940246.
Book

Primus inter Pares?: France and Multi-actor Peacekeeping in Côte d'Ivoire
Wyss, M. 2014 In: Peacekeeping in Africa. London : Routledge p. 132-148. 17 p.
Chapter (peer-reviewed)

France's Africa links may have spared allies
Wilner, A., Wyss, M. 20/02/2013 Embassy
Article

Alternative Perspectives on African Peacekeeping
Tardy, T., Wyss, M. 2013 In: Journal of International Peacekeeping. 17, 3-4, 7 p.
Editorial

Alternative Perspectives on African Peacekeeping
Tardy, T., Wyss, M. 2013 In: Journal of International Peacekeeping. 17, 3-4
Special issue

Arms Transfers, Neutrality and Britain's Role in the Cold War: Anglo-Swiss Relations 1945-1958
Wyss, M. 2013 Leiden : Brill. 404 p. ISBN: 9789004234413.
Book

Contributor Profile: Switzerland
Baumann, A., Wyss, M. 2013
Other contribution

Entwicklung der Verteidigungsausgaben ausgewählter europäischer Staaten seit 1990: Deutschland, Frankreich, Vereinigtes Königreich, Finnland, Österreich und Schweden
Wyss, M. 2013 Center for Security Studies (CSS) ETH Zurich. 65 p.
Commissioned report

Importations d'armes et intérêts économiques suisses au début de la Guerre froide
Wyss, M. 2013 In: Schweizer Rüstung. Baden-Dättwil : hier + jetzt p. 46-57. 12 p. ISBN: 9783039192793.
Chapter

The Advocate and Its Wealthy Client: Britain and Switzerland in the Early Cold War
Wyss, M. 2013 In: The International History Review. 35, 1, p. 184-204. 21 p.
Journal article

The Gendarme Stays in Africa: France's Military Role in Côte d'Ivoire
Wyss, M. 2013 In: African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review. 3, 1, p. 81-111. 31 p.
Journal article

Neutrality in the early Cold War: Swiss arms imports and neutrality
Wyss, M. 2012 In: Cold War History. 12, 1, p. 25-49. 25 p.
Journal article

Peacekeeping in Afrika und die militärische Friedensförderung der Schweiz
Wyss, M. 2012 In: Bulletin zur schweizerischen Sicherheitspolitik 2012. Center for Security Studies (CSS) ETH Zurich p. 9-37. 29 p.
Chapter

The Next Generation Fighter Club: How Shifting Markets Will Shape Canada's F-35 Debate
Wyss, M., Wilner, A. 2012 In: Canadian Military Journal. 12, 2, p. 18-27. 10 p.
Journal article

The Case for the F-35
Wilner, A., Wyss, M. 16/05/2011 The National Post
Article

Military Transformation in Europe's Neutral and Non-Allied States
Wyss, M. 04/2011 In: The RUSI Journal. 156, 2, p. 44-51. 8 p.
Journal article

A War-Profiteer or a Strategic Lightweight?: Switzerland in American Aircraft Supply Priorities in the Emerging Cold War
Wyss, M. 2011 In: Militärhistorisk Tidskrift. 2009-2010, p. 311-339. 29 p.
Journal article

A case for the Joint Strike Fighter
Wilner, A., Wyss, M. 2011 Vanguard
Article

Abhängigkeit wider Willen oder Drang zum Westen?: Die einseitigen Rüstungsbeschaffungen und -lieferungen der Schweiz im frühen Kalten Krieg
Wyss, M. 2011 In: Die internationale Schweiz in der Zeit des Kalten Krieges. Basel : Schwabe p. 31-45. 15 p. ISBN: 9783796527272.
Chapter

Clashing over Fighters: Winners and Losers
Wyss, M. 2011
Other contribution

Is Kosovo the Beginning and the End?: Swiss Military Peacekeeping
Wyss, M. 2011 In: Baltic Security and Defence Review. 13, 1, p. 51-70. 20 p.
Journal article

Neutrality 'de jour': Switzerland and the Italo-Abyssinian War of 1935-1936
Wylie, N., Wyss, M. 2011 In: The Origins of the Second World War. London : Continuum p. 278-293. 16 p.
Chapter (peer-reviewed)

Revisiting the 'Nene Blunder': Western Aviation Technology Transfers to China
Wyss, M. 2011 LSE IDEAS Today, p. 16-18. 3 p.
Article

Zivile Nachrichtendienste im europäischen Umfeld der Schweiz: Ausgewählte fusionierte und getrennte zivile In- und Auslandsnachrichtendienste im Vergleich
Wyss, M. 2011 Center for Security Studies (CSS) ETH Zurich. 96 p.
Commissioned report

A 'Cold War Love Affair' and the Future of Anglo-Swiss Relations
Wyss, M. 2010 LSE IDEAS Today, p. 22-23. 2 p.
Article

Guillaume Tell, du sujet de dispute à l'objet de recherche
Wyss, M. 2010 In: Guillaume Tell et la libération des Suisses. Lausanne : Société d'Histoire de la Suisse Romande p. 209-238. 30 p.
Chapter

Jet Propulsion Technology in Switzerland: Introduction without Production in the Emerging Cold War 1945-1949
Wyss, M. 2010 In: Traverse, Revue d'histoire - Zeitschrift für Geschichte. 3, p. 113-124. 12 p.
Journal article

Les plus anciens textes
Amherdt, D., Bartolini, L., Duffner, R., Morerod, C., Morerod, J., Näf, A., Wyss, M. 2010 In: Guillaume Tell et la libération des Suisses. Lausanne : Société d'Histoire de la Suisse Romande p. 15-16. 2 p.
Chapter

Streitkräftetransformation neutraler und allianzfreier Staaten: Schweiz, Schweden, Österreich, Finnland und Irland im Vergleich
Möckli, D., Misteli, V., Wyss, M. 2010 Center for Security Studies (CSS) ETH Zurich. 93 p.
Commissioned report

Un Suisse au Service de la SS: Dr. Franz Riedweg (1907-2005)
Wyss, M., Wisard, F. 2010 Neuchâtel : Editions Alphil-Presses universitaires suisses. 275 p. ISBN: 9782940235599.
Book

Des Vampires pour la Suisse: Hiérarchies militaires et acquisition des premiers avions à réaction au début de la Guerre froide
Wyss, M. 2009 In: Revue Historique Neuchâteloise. 146, 3, p. 201-211. 11 p.
Journal article

Dr. Franz Riedweg and the Enforcement of Non-German 'Germanic Civilians' to SS Standards during the Second World War
Wyss, M. 2009 In: Military Conflicts and Civil Populations. Rome : Ministero della Difesa / Commissione Italiana di Storia Militare p. 448-458. 11 p.
Chapter

Un suisse au service de la SS: Dr. Franz Riedweg et le "travail germanique" de la SS
Wyss, M. 2007 In: Revue Suisse d'Histoire. 57, 4, p. 417-440. 24 p.
Journal article

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