Stealth in the deep: the saga of French submarines
A pioneer in submarine navigation, France opted for nuclear propulsion over half a century ago. A look back at the rich history and latest developments of this highly strategic fleet with Rear Admiral François Guichard, a submarine expert and practitioner.
Food sovereignty: a vital issue with security implications
To coincide with the international "Nutrition for Growth" summit, which France is hosting in Paris on 27 and 28 March, we focus on two trends that illustrate the security implications of food: the quest for food sovereignty and efforts to improve human nutrition.
Geopolitical influence and recomposition: the key role of strategic forums
The Paris Defence and Strategy Forum, which takes place this week, the Munich Conference and Globsec: these events are catalysts for geopolitical change. Here we look at their role as places of influence and strategic and diplomatic levers in a rapidly changing international context.
War in Ukraine: the unequal distribution of military aid
As the conflict enters its 4th year, the support given to Ukraine by its allies regularly raises controversy. Canadian political scientist Justin Massié took stock of its distribution and possible developments at an enlightening conference organised by IRSEM.
Civilian victims of war: the difficult issue of reparations
Civilians are systematically affected by conflicts, but their fate is recognised differently in different jurisdictions. Legal expert Élise Bernard and historian Fabrice Virgili shed light on the specific case of wartime rape.
Dana Spinant: "Combating the manipulation of information is one of the priorities" of the new European Commission
Foreign interference, disinformation and manipulation are aimed at "dividing our democratic societies in order to weaken them in the interests of hostile actors": in a rare interview, the European Union's "dircom" Dana Spinant talks about this growing scourge and details the five pillars put in place to tackle it.
Djibouti, a unique geostrategic crossroads
The subject of a recent study mission by the IHEDN national session, Djibouti is home to five foreign military bases and plays a key role in East Africa, the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indo-Pacific region. We take a look at the situation with researcher Brendon Novel and General Sébastien Vallette, commander of the French forces stationed in Djibouti.
Maud Quessard: "Putin and Xi are imperialists, why shouldn't Trump be?"
What will be the foreign policy of US President Donald Trump, inaugurated today? IRSEM researcher Maud Quessard looks at his recent statements and his relations with the 'big tech' sector and NATO and outlines some possible directions.
"National defence, history and theory", by Professor Philippe Vial
The concept of national defence, which is fundamental to our institution, has a rich and eventful history. Historian Philippe Vial retraced this history in a lecture given to students at the 4th national session of the IHEDN. Part One (1870-1940).
The saga of the Rafale, the ultimate fighter jet
In 1983, France launched the programme for a revolutionary aircraft, which has been used by its armed forces since 2002, before enjoying export success. Focus on the history and characteristics of this evolving flagship, with insights from a pilot, a former Dassault Aviation engineer and General Philippe Lavigne, Chief of Staff of the French Air Force from 2018 to 2021.
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