Contenu du sommaire : France, Otan, États-Unis et défense européenne : un débat permanent

The Atlantic Alliance is celebrating its 75th birthday in an unprecedented context of confrontation with Russia, questions concerning the next administration in Washington and increased international competition, with China in particular, all of which are sure to provoke bitter discussion. Hot topics for the next Summit, then, where it will be imperative to do somewhat more than offer birthday congratulations.

Despite many criticisms, NATO has since its creation in 1949 remained the most effective military alliance. France was a founding member, yet has always had a complex relationship with the Organisation. That highlights the importance of the French War College ( École de guerre) symposium which offered an understanding of the stakes involved and developments at a time of a resurgent Russian threat.

From 1948 to 1967 the NATO allies were present in considerable numbers in Fontainebleau. Much infrastructure was created there to house Alliance military personnel and their families, and the American way of life stamped its mark on the cité impériale, which had long been a garrison town. All of that lies in a distant past, largely forgotten today.

The NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was signed on 19 June 1951. It determines the rules which apply to Alliance forces when deployed in a member state. The effectiveness of this legal instrument has been proven, and it has been used on many occasions. It also remains a reference for the conduct of operations.

Although the Central Europe Pipeline System (CEPS) is a specifically NATO structure designed to deliver fuel to the main allied bases, the network, whose installations cross France, is used for civilian as well as military purposes. The war in Ukraine has proved the opportunity to highlight the role of the CEPS for Alliance logistics.

General Abrial was the first French officer to be appointed as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), based in Norfolk, Va, in the United States. His experience highlights the essential nature of ACT in the transformation process of the NATO Alliance. One regret is French mistrust of the Command, which is nevertheless a genuine conduit for influence which Paris ought to exploit better.

For nearly 75 years NATO has shown its ability to overcome crises and to adapt to geopolitical developments. Its capability for resilience is a major asset, which has again been demonstrated since the start of Russia's aggressive war waged against Ukraine. The Alliance remains the foundation of our collective security in Europe.

NATO's nuclear capability is provided by US-supplied B61 bombs, which are stationed and stored in several European countries. This vital dimension of the Alliance has once again been highlighted in the context of the war imposed by Russia on Ukraine. The B61 stocks require dedicated and protected infrastructure.

The war waged by Russia against Ukraine has led the EU to show its support for Kyiv. Despite that, there is a lack of clear and determined strategy in Brussels resulting from the divergent approaches of the 27 Member States. There is, however, an urgent need to form a long-term policy if tangible results are to be produced.

The war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine reveals an attempt to upset conventional strategic balances. The United States' clear commitment to supporting Kyiv sets it de facto in major geopolitical competition with Moscow, and also with Beijing, which has chosen to support the break with convention promoted by Vladimir Putin.

Countries in the east of Europe are acutely aware of the security challenges posed by a revengeful Russia, which explains their attachment to both NATO and the EU. Finding themselves on the front line and facing the threat, they are working towards a broad strengthening and improvement in European resilience which would be essential in case of conflict.

The French Navy ( la Marine nationale) is fully committed to a very wide range of missions, from non-defence maritime operations (or state action at sea-SAS) to high-intensity military activity. This double role is a major characteristic of our maritime policy, in particular because France has the second largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the world and has therefore to ensure its security.

Rustic simplicity is indisputable factor for success on the battlefield—the hardiness of the seasoned soldier, the simplicity of some equipment, and the sturdiness and resilience of deployed chains of command. Technology is, of course, essential, but the soldier must not become dependent upon it—especially if it has failings.

Western military forces, essentially French and US, experience difficulties in the Sahel to the extent of having to leave some countries after several years' presence there. Competition from Russia and China—from Turkey, too—is pressing us to review our partnerships in an atmosphere of anti-Western sentiment among African public opinion.

General Lagarde considered that reform of the forces was clearly necessary in order to re-establish a relationship of confidence between them and the nation-in other words, the population. In particular, that required a new style of command based on initiative and free consent to discipline, rather than on rigid and imposed constraints.

It once seemed that Latin America was well away from the lines of international tension, but with Russia's war against Ukraine, and Israel's retaliation on Gaza following the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, matters have evolved. We now see contradictory positions being taken: countries which support the idea of a Global South, such as Brazil, contrast with the openly pro-Western Argentina of Javier Milei. It is essential to find a balance.

The Foreign Legion and Indochina have long been favourite subjects for the cinema. The film Les derniers Hommes (The Last Men) was released in France in February 2024: it relates the epic story of a handful of legionnaires facing the Japanese and the jungle. Behind the scenario and the superb images the storyline reveals the human dimension of the Legion-a multi-racial, yet mono-cultural society-within-a-society which has been serving France since 1831.