Contenu du sommaire : Criminalité et terrorisme : une menace militaire ?

Organized crime constitutes a major menace for our society. Fighting against this new order demands the abilities of acquisition and intelligence analysis in permanent adaptation to better anticipate action of criminal groups.

Financial flow that escapes the control of States has overcome budgets, as illustrated by the PIB of certain countries, which now imparts a macroeconomic weight and a geopolitical dimension. Thus, it no longer seems excessive to affirm that this evolution constitutes a real menace for our democracies.

“Big Data”, through its capacity to compile a considerable amount of data and analyze it, offers unprecedented perspectives concerning crime and misdemeanor prevention. Following trends in the United States, this type of software, in the process of being tested in Paris, nevertheless poses fundamental questions, notably concerning democratic control of police force actions.

The protection of commerce vessels flying the French flag has recently known a legislative evolution permitting the employment of security personnel from private societies. These personnel are duly authorized according to very strict regulations in conformity with the principles of French rights.

India has recently become aware that the menace of Islamic terrorism is also a national reality—more so because the Muslim community in India is relatively important—necessitating reflection on the impact of Islamic propaganda, notably via the social network.

The taking of hostages has been a constant throughout history with evolving objectives, as a mode of insurance given by the defeated to the victor in an operative mode aimed both financially and politically. The employment of violence against hostages has also evolved, achieving today an unprecedented degree with a manifested will to terrorize victims.

For the forces responsible for national defense and international security, the issue of criminal networks emerges well in the foreground of battlefields and conflict zones. Crimes and misdemeanors, specific to multiform criminal systems that have long infiltrated our societies, are more and more severely influencing the course of events every day.

Despite operation Harpie launched in 2008, illegal gold panning in French Guyana is synonymous with insecurity, public health problems, the destruction of the environment, and financial damage. To confront this scourge, a military, judicial, economic, and diplomatic response is required; but these conditions have not been amassed.

Mauritanian authorities have adopted a global strategy to combat terrorism by any means. Thus, “Soft Fighting” measures have been taken toward Salafi prisoners to show them the true face of Islam and combat extremism through debate.

Practices concerning the right to prosecute in Africa have become a reality with the increasing menace of international terrorism. At the time of the Barkhane operation, reflection must be necessitated to provide news based on a military intervention whose tactical utility is verified daily.

Illegal flights conducted recently by mini-drones pose numerous questions, notably of judiciary concern, which will necessitate the adoption of protective measures employing a large spectrum of modes of action, all contributing to a process of rule standardization to employ at the level of the EU.

The Arab Spring opened a period of major instability in which war became the mode of control. The breakdown of certain states brought the region into a state of conflict that will henceforth continue for a time to come.

The Arab world is confronted with major structural problems intensifying current menaces such as terrorism and the unemployment of young people. Choices are rapidly becoming necessary so that these states can look upon the future with greater equanimity.

The issue of borders remains unresolved, in Europe as well, with probable recommencement of discussion involving states concerning nationalist demands fed by resentment and frustration. The European Union may be capable, in this way, of recognizing new evolutions difficult to imagine today.

The Belgian Defense is at a crossroads with the development of a strategic plan of ten years. The question posed from this point forward is the sought-after objective concerning the risk of an army that is too reduced, just capable of retaining several “niches” of expertise to share in a multinational frame.

Approaching the concept of Framework-Nation by Germany constitutes a major issue illustrating the reality of Berlin's desire to engage in an operation, with the support of its partners, the OTAN and the European Union.

Ukraine is involved in troubling chain of events, with an intra-national war at its borders against a rebellion sustained militarily by Russia. A rearmament of Ukrainian armed forces transcends local matters and will introduce a strategic disequilibrium that Moscow will not permit.

The controversy over the positioning of Russia between Europe and Asia, with the crisis in Ukraine, has reopened the notion of Eurasia, which would give coherence and a geographic and cultural continuity to a space where strategic issues are interlinked and complex.

Leaving to fight for jihad involves an ancient tradition of going to make war in the name of a superior cause that exceeds the normal framework of citizenship. In times of social networks, this will to act depends on a retrograde yet dangerous vision of the world.

The Military Reserves takes on a new importance for the Armed Forces due equally to the important decrease in the workforce as to the increase in mission and operational engagements. The improvement of the reserves could be effective leverage for the Armed Forces.