Center for Security Studies

No. 46: The French White Paper on Defense and National Security

No. 46: The French White Paper on Defense and National Security

Author(s): Claudia Major
Editor(s): Daniel Möckli
Series: CSS Analyses in Security Policy
Issue: 46
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2008

With the White Paper on Defence and National Security of June 2008, France has embarked on an in-depth overhaul of its security and defence strategy. In terms of content, three innovative elements are noticeable. The first is a shift of focus away from France's historic spheres of influence towards a strategic arc of instability that stretches from the Atlantic via the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa and on to south Asia. Second, greater emphasis is put on intelligence. Third, the White Paper approves France's reintegration into NATO's integrated military command structure.

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