National defence
National defence In addition to military defence, we also take into account anything that undermines our sovereignty, interests and freedom without the use of armed force. Falling under hostile and politically motivated intentions of the players involved, its scope depends on the evolution of threats within the international system, themselves conditioned by the evolution of international interactions. For example, the economic globalisation that followed the end of the Cold War has created asymmetries between states that can be 'weaponised' in a context of political rivalry. This circle therefore encompasses a wide variety of means of action, such as economic coercion, disinformation, the use of force, the use of force, the use of force, and so on. lawfare or cyber attacks. It includes respect for alliances, international treaties and agreements, and common European policies.
Extraterritoriality of the law: when lawfare serves economic warfare
In July, in the face of the scandal, an American economist gave up her bid to join a key post in the European Commission's Competition Directorate. But in this area, it is also the global application of US law that is causing concern among businesses, specialists and legislators.
Paris, a nest of spies for centuries
The French capital has always been a prime location for intelligence services. Here we take a look back at some of the most emblematic actions carried out by French and foreign spies along the banks of the Seine.
The opportunities and limits of OSINT, the new sinews of war
The age of the mass Internet has popularised open-source intelligence, accessible to everyone. Three experts in this field summarised the strategic issues at stake during the last IHEDN Monday.
Three possible scenarios for a Ukrainian counter-offensive
Interview with researchers Philippe Gros and Vincent Tourret, authors of a paper for the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (French Foundation for Strategic Research) which takes stock of the conflict and outlines some prospects.
The new face of war
Holy war, cold war, total war, hybrid war, high-intensity war... War takes such changing forms that Clausewitz likened it to a chameleon, changing its appearance according to the environment around it. But doesn't war remain timeless in its aims, motivations and principles?
What is national defence and security? IHEDN's vocation
How can we define this fundamental concept that the IHEDN is tasked with studying? Lieutenant General Benoît Durieux proposes to draw its perimeter using four concentric circles.
Economic defence: a new approach to dealing with new threats
A sector that is highly connected to the rest of the world, fragmented into numerous players and likely to have an impact on the entire population, a country's economy is both a target and a weapon of strategic confrontation. Focus on France's defence and security doctrine for this "sinews of war".
Very high altitude, an area of innovation awaiting regulation
(Re)discovered by the general public since the neutralisation of the "Chinese balloons", this zone between air and space opens up immense prospects and raises many questions, which the French Air Force and Space Agency addressed at a symposium packed with information.
CDT Alexandre: "At very high altitude, we're going to see the emergence of competition and contestation.
The issue of "very high altitude" came back into the spotlight with the neutralisation of "Chinese balloons" in American airspace in February. Major Alexandre, head of the aerospace power division at the French Air Force's Centre for Strategic Aerospace Studies (CESA), explains what is at stake in this area, which has become a hotbed of confrontation.
Marc Watin-Augouard: "Digital banderillas" are replacing "gunboat policy".
Head of the "Digital Sovereignty and Cybersecurity" major at the IHEDN, Gendarmerie General (2S) Marc Watin-Augouard looks back at developments in this area in 2022, against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Cybersecurity: the threat level remains high
Despite the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, there were no major changes in the IT threat landscape last year, notes the French national agency for information systems security (ANSSI) in its Panorama of the cyber threat 2022: the major trends observed in 2021 have been confirmed, and vigilance is still required.
High seas: behind the international treaty,
a national defence strategy
The UN has just announced a "historic" agreement on biodiversity on the high seas. This is an opportunity to take stock of an increasingly contested area, and France's strategy for defending its maritime zones.
Not far from Ukraine, the other European issue in the Balkans
To mark the 3e International session on the Balkans and South-East Europe (SIB), focusing on this border region that has long been affected by conflict and is increasingly integrated into the EU.
GBR Ortemann: "I never wanted to be dictated to.
Men are no more predisposed than women to take an interest in defence and national security issues. To mark International Women's Day on 8 March, Brigadier General Anne-Cécile Ortemann answered our questions.
War in Ukraine: a year of strategic lessons
A number of specialists gave an initial assessment of the conflict at a conference at the École Militaire. Strategy, land, cyber, space, NATO... a selection of their analyses of the return of high-intensity warfare to Europe.
At a time of war in Ukraine, can we still speak of a "Franco-German couple"?
To avoid the possibility of the end of the Franco-German relationship, the French and Germans must not take for granted the results achieved by the post-war generation, but continue to maintain and develop a relationship that is essential for both countries. This is what the IHEDN and its German counterpart, the Bundesakademie für Sicherheit.
War in Ukraine: Europe's response
24 February 2022, Russia invades Ukraine. The world awoke to images of bombed cities. According to the European Union, the red lines have been crossed. The Russian offensive is one of the most serious violations of international law in decades. How have the 27 member states organised their response to an event that has already shaken the world order?
The Indo-Pacific region,
at the heart of France's multipolar strategy
A key arena for bipolar rivalry between the United States and China, this region, in which France is a major power, is the focus of many issues that will be crucial in the years ahead. Against this backdrop, Paris is striving to maintain a strategy of balance and to combat unilateralism.
Djibouti, the coveted gateway to the Indo-Pacific region
Essential in France's Indo-Pacific strategyThe country in the Horn of Africa is also increasingly favoured by other powers. For the time being, France retains a pre-eminent role. The defence cooperation treaty linking France and the Republic of Djibouti since 2011 is currently being renewed. Focus on the destination of the national session auditors.
"Women must be more involved in spreading the spirit of defence".
Sophie de Ravinel is a listener at 2e national session 2022-2023, defence policy major. The current strategic context was the trigger for her application. The political journalist from Le Figaro wanted to improve her knowledge of defence and national security issues. A few days after registration opened for the 2023-2024 national session, she explains why women should apply.
France and the countries on Europe's eastern flank: what defence relations?
Against the backdrop of the threat to European security posed by Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, France is reaffirming its commitment to its allies on Europe's eastern flank. With a military presence in the region, it is helping to strengthen their deterrence and defence posture. This note places this support within the more general framework of defence relations between France and the States on Europe's eastern flank. It shows that, despite historically divergent strategic priorities, closer defence ties between these countries are both possible and desirable.
Jean Peeters :
"cybersecurity, far from being a given, must remain an objective".
For many users, digital technology may seem like a virtual world, but the fact remains that it is based on a material layer, with
"Maritime issues directly affect our populations".
Vice-admiral (2s) Gérard Valin is head of the "Maritime Issues and Strategies" major at the Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN). A former admiral commanding the Indian Ocean maritime zone, he deciphers current developments in the maritime domain, which has become an area of confrontation.
Marc Watin-Augouard :
"cyber-security will increase in quantity and quality".
October is European Cyber Security Month. For the past ten years, the institutions of the European Union have been taking advantage of this dedicated period to take action
