The national security strategy will help France to ward off risks and threats, direct or indirect, likely to endanger the life of the nation. This concept, introduced by the 2008 White Paper and enshrined in law in 2009, has been confirmed. It is grounded in recognizing the continuity of the internal and external threats menacing France, its territory, population and security interests. It enables France to assess all the different dimensions of these threats and organize its response to them. Deterrence and military interventions are two cornerstones of our strategy.
The level of threat and the climate of uncertainty characterizing our international environment since 2008 have not diminished. Our analysis must now take three phenomena into consideration: threats related to power, risks related to weakness, threats and risks intensified by globalization.
The White Paper clearly sets forth the strategic priorities resulting from our duty to protect French citizens, on the one hand, and assume our international responsibilities, on the other: protecting the national territory and French nationals abroad; guaranteeing the security of Europe and the North Atlantic space, with our partners and allies; stabilizing Europe’s near environment, with our partners and allies; and contributing to peace and international security in the world, including Africa, Middle East, Indian Ocean, and beyond.
Capitalizing both on France’s full engagement in NATO and the pragmatic revitalization of the European defence policy, the White Paper remodels general strategy and military strategy to build a new armed forces model, with a specific emphasis on cyber defence and intelligence.
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