Equation of state and strangeness in neutron stars

A brief survey is presented of our present understanding of the equation-of-state of cold, dense matter and the speed of sound in the interior of neutron stars, based on the constraints inferred from observational data. The second part focuses on strangeness in baryonic matter and the role of hyperon-nuclear two- and three-body forces, with reference to the “hyperon puzzle” in neutron stars and possible scenarios for its solution.