Sylvie Bermann: «In diplomacy, France often has a knock-on effect».»
From 2020 to 2026, French Ambassador Sylvie Bermann chaired the IHEDN Board of Directors. In this long interview, the former plenipotentiary in Beijing, London and Moscow looks back at the changing geopolitical context over these years and the way in which the Institute has adapted to it.
General Bonnemaison: cyberspace «a field of operations in its own right»
Lieutenant General Aymeric Bonnemaison, Director of Defence Intelligence and Security, analyses the far-reaching changes in counter-intelligence in the digital age: changing threats, hybridisation of opposing modes of action, the rise of cyber and the proliferation of both state and non-state actors. Interview.
Advanced nuclear deterrence, France's response to the new global context
On 2 March 2026, the French President renewed the guidelines for French defence strategy in a long-awaited speech on nuclear deterrence. In an international context marked by chronic instability and the return of power politics, this speech marks a turning point for national and European sovereignty. We take a closer look.
Invasion of Ukraine, four years on
To analyse the high-intensity conflict triggered by Russia on 24 February 2022, the IHEDN's special report includes an interview with the Director of the École de guerre on the state of the forces involved, and two articles on the use of drones and hybrid threats, with insights from military personnel, researchers and practitioners.
IHEDN at the heart of a unique strategic ecosystem
To mark the 90e anniversary of the Institute, focusing on its place in the French strategic ecosystem and the role of its listeners in spreading the spirit of defence and strengthening national cohesion.
Currency wars: «The rise of crypto-assets poses a real challenge to governments».»
The book «La nouvelle guerre des monnaies» (The new currency war) by Christian de Boissieu and Marc Schwartz has just been awarded a prize by the Association des auditeurs de l'IHEDN. In this interview, the economist and the CEO of the Monnaie de Paris decipher the current issues in monetary geopolitics: the role of government, digitisation, de-dollarisation, the defence industry, etc.
Greenland: «The Arctic now seems to be divided into three blocks».»
Associate researcher at the University of Cambridge, geographer Émilie Canova analyses for IHEDN the latest developments surrounding the autonomous territory of Denmark. In her view, since the re-election of Donald Trump, the United States has become a destabilising power in the region, as Russia already was.
In Venezuela, «the scenario is extremely uncertain».»
Two weeks after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, researcher Thomas Posado, a specialist in the Bolivarian Republic and Cuba, analyses the context and possible consequences of the operation ordered by Donald Trump, which could «exacerbate the difficulties and feed the migratory axes that he denounces».
IHEDN: 90 years of promoting resilience
Founded in 1936, the Institute for Higher National Defence Studies is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.e anniversary. Its director, Lieutenant General Hervé de Courrèges, puts into perspective the importance of our organisation over time, at the dawn of an exceptional year of commemorations.
AI in armed conflicts: who is responsible in the event of a violation of the law?
While artificial intelligence can increase the effectiveness of military operations, it is not currently capable of anticipating all unforeseen situations. So who should be held responsible for violations of international humanitarian law? Two legal advisers working for the French Armed Forces provide some answers.
