My short take on @EmmanuelMacron's speech on defence and #nuclear #deterrence #dissuasion:
The baseline of the doctrine is unchanged: defensive role of NW, targeted against states' centres of power; strict sufficiency; final warning to restore deterrence; and vital interests 1/7
The baseline of the doctrine is unchanged: defensive role of NW, targeted against states' centres of power; strict sufficiency; final warning to restore deterrence; and vital interests 1/7
On that point: Macron specifies what previous presidents had already alluded to: "Let's be clear: France's vital interests now have a European dimension". I.E effort at being more open about the European role of French deterrence, while still not participating in #NATO's NPG. 2/7
Deterrence is also a necessary component of his effort to build a European strategic culture. He thus proposes "a strategic dialogue, with those European partners that are ready, on the role of French nuclear deterrence for our collective security". 3/7
This is certainly linked to Macron's effort at rallying partners behind his call for European involvement in international agreements on arms control post-#INF, on which he insists: such agreements cannot be negotiated "over the Europeans' heads", their security is at stake. 4/7
Besides that, it is interesting to note that unlike Hollande's speech, and more like Sarkozy's, the scope of the speech is much broader than merely nuclear deterrence... 5/7
Deterrence is embedded in France's defence and security strategy which ranges from the preservation of the multilateral world order, to the fight against terrorism, the management of technological change, industrial sovereignty, and to the changing global balance of power. 6/7
Macron also makes a clearer link between the conventional and nuclear dimensions of deterrence: "As soon as our vital interests are likely to be threatened, the conventional maneuver can be part of the exercise of deterrence" 7/7.
