"Monuments Men: the French twist on a famous epic
Highlighted by an exhibition in the Val-d'Oise, the mission to recover works of art in the defeated Third Reich conceals little-known facets beyond art and the curator and Resistance fighter Rose Valland.
The Rethondes carriage, from one armistice to the next
In 1918 and 1940, two agreements on the cessation of hostilities were signed in the same place, in a clearing in the Oise region. Why two armistices, in a railway carriage? A look back at these major historical events of the two world wars, in very different circumstances.
Admiral Vaujour: "The Navy must be resilient and retain operational superiority".
During the Euronaval exhibition, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of Staff of the French Navy, takes stock of the major issues facing his armed forces: climate change, nuclear deterrence, technological proliferation, conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East... Interview.
Stéphane Bouillon, General Secretary for Defence and National Security, talks about "Increasing conflict, new developments in hybrid attacks".
Climate change, war in Ukraine, foreign digital interference, lawfarePrefect Stéphane Bouillon, who has headed the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security since 2020, talks to IHEDN about the changing threat environment and the workings of the SGDSN, the control tower or "marshalling yard" for French security and defence.
Stéphane Taillat: "In cybersecurity, the United States' main vulnerability is its own system".
A researcher at the Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan Military Academy Research Centre (CReC), the historian has published "De la cybersécurité en Amérique", a detailed review of the latest developments in this field. As far as electoral interference is concerned, "we are a long way from 2016", he says. Interview.
The possible future of urban combat
A specialist in combat in urban areas, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Sédivy answered questions from the IHEDN to expand on our article on this subject, analysing the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and assessing the impact of ongoing technological change.
Combat in urban areas, a high-intensity laboratory
Since the mid-twentieth century, the city has become the preferred location for fighting, a trend that is even more marked today in Ukraine and Gaza. In this compartmentalised environment, the balance of power is evened out and the hybridisation of conflict facilitated. Deciphered by military specialists.
Christophe Ayad: "For Hezbollah, hostility to Israel is radical, fundamental and permanent".
The journalist Christophe Ayad, author of "Géopolitique du Hezbollah" (Presses universitaires de France), explains the workings of the Lebanese Shiite political party, armed militia and terrorist group, which has been heavily hit by the Hebrew state in recent weeks. Major interview.
The heritage of the Ministry of Defence, spearheading defence culture
Dozens of sites belonging to the Ministry of the Armed Forces opened their doors this weekend for the European Heritage Days. Throughout the year, the MinArm is the French government's second-largest cultural player, even outside our borders, with its stone, human and intangible heritage. Here's a closer look.
General Hervé de Courrèges: "Developing a spirit of defence, raising awareness of international issues".
Students attending the 4th national session of the IHEDN and the session in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region start their new academic year this week. The Institute's new director, Lieutenant General Hervé de Courrèges, takes this opportunity to reflect on his experience and develop his vision for the IHEDN. Interview.
