Ever since it was founded in 1833 by the military scientist Friedrich Lohbauer, a liberal refugee from Germany operating in free Switzerland, ASMZ (Allgemeine Schweizerische Militärzeitschrift, the general Swiss military journal) has been regarded as the definitive publication for all matters relating to security and military policy in Switzerland, albeit under a number of frequently changing but always very similar names. The journal - a series of which is held in the Library Am Guisanplatz (the Swiss military library) and forms the basis of the current project - played an integral role in forming and developing the legal foundations and institutions of Switzerland (the Federal State and Military Department in 1848, the federal constitutions of 1874 and 1999, the Swiss Army since its formation and so on). With its distinctive, astute and critical insight, it reports on the work of public authorities, military command centres and those responsible for armament, military training and deployment, as well as the efforts of parties, groups and individuals with a common interest in contributing to the security of the Swiss Confederation.

The Schweizerische Offiziergesellschaft (Swiss officers' society, SOG) unites the various different cantonal officers' societies and organisations and, like its figurehead publication ASMZ, has had a strong formative influence on Swiss security and military policy since 1833. In 1913, for instance - to name just one unique, historically defining example - the SOG laid the foundations for the formation of the Swiss Air Force by setting up a fundraising campaign. The SOG adopts a clear stance on current issues with no official or party-related bias. The SOG is not infallible; it is an intelligent organisation which allows its views to evolve and adapt to the needs of the times, although the security of the nation remains its central focus.

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