Our news
The French cornflower, a symbol of individual and collective resilience
From the rehabilitation of wounded servicemen to solidarity with victims and their loved ones, resilience is never built in isolation: it relies on medical, psychological and social care, but also on the support of society as a whole. Through the work of organisations such as Bleuet de France, solidarity becomes a driving force for individual recovery and national cohesion. An in-depth look to mark this 11 November.
Louis Perez: «Military artificial intelligence permeates the entire decision-making process»
Louis Perez, a researcher at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University and this year’s winner of an IHEDN scientific prize for his thesis on the legal regulation of military artificial intelligence, notes that this technology «is finding its way into almost every aspect of the armed forces», and poses a crucial question: «Can a machine apply the law of armed conflict?». Interview.
A look back at the 164th ‘Jeunes en région’ programme – Grand Est
For a week, the Grand Est region was the focus of discussions during this 164th Youth Programme. Through the Institute’s three-part educational programme, the 81 participants were able to gain an understanding of the diverse defence and security issues at both regional and national levels. This shared experience helps to foster their commitment to defence, nurture their civic engagement and equip them with the tools to take part, from today, in the debates and decisions of tomorrow.
European space sovereignty at the heart of the 166th cycle of the ‘Young People in Economic and Strategic Intelligence’ programme
From 26 to 30 October, the École Militaire hosted a new ‘Young People in Economic Intelligence (EI)’ programme, focusing on the theme of European space sovereignty. This topic served as the educational thread, enabling participants to discover, understand and put into practice the tools of economic intelligence, in relation to the industrial, technological and cooperation challenges of a sector that is essential to the autonomy of France and Europe.
Arnaud Attia: «Europe is not destined to endure the onslaughts of the Americans and the Chinese forever»
In his essay *Hautes tensions*, this senior executive at a major French defence group analyses the fault lines of the emerging world and proposes solutions for dealing with it, with the European ideal at its heart. The book draws directly on his experience as a participant in the IHEDN’s national session.
Romania: A key country on NATO’s south-eastern flank
This news brief examines Romania, noting its increasingly prominent geostrategic role since the end of the Cold War, as it has gradually integrated into NATO and the EU, a process that began in the early 2000s. It then highlights the country’s central importance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, owing to its location on the Black Sea and its relations with Turkey. Finally, it highlights internal political instability and how this has been exploited by Russia through hybrid attacks (including drone strikes, as well as campaigns of interference and disinformation).
A look back at the 164th ‘Jeunes en région’ programme – Grand Est
For a week, the Grand Est region was the focus of discussions during this 164th Youth Programme. Through the Institute’s three-part educational programme, the 81 participants were able to gain an understanding of the diverse defence and security issues at both regional and national levels. This shared experience helps to foster their commitment to defence, nurture their civic engagement and equip them with the tools to take part, from today, in the debates and decisions of tomorrow.
European space sovereignty at the heart of the 166th cycle of the ‘Young People in Economic and Strategic Intelligence’ programme
From 26 to 30 October, the École Militaire hosted a new ‘Young People in Economic Intelligence (EI)’ programme, focusing on the theme of European space sovereignty. This topic served as the educational thread, enabling participants to discover, understand and put into practice the tools of economic intelligence, in relation to the industrial, technological and cooperation challenges of a sector that is essential to the autonomy of France and Europe.
PAT 2026: the VULCAIN section and the transformation of the Army
On 15 and 16 October, the trainees on the 6th national course attended a presentation on the capabilities of the Army (PAT) at the École Militaire.
Law as an instrument of power: US ‘lawfare’ at the heart of the strategic debate
For the strategic debate in October, the IHEDN welcomed Mark Corcoral, who holds a PhD in political science and is an associate researcher at Sciences Po’s Centre for International Research, to discuss his book *Le droit en armes. Lawfare and national security in the United States*.
Shifting the focus: Oceania at the heart of the first strategic debate of the new parliamentary term
As part of its September strategic debate, the IHEDN welcomed Sarah Mohamed-Gaillard, a senior lecturer in contemporary history at INALCO, to discuss her book *The Geopolitics of Oceania. Shifting the Focus on the Pacific Island States«.
Opening of the 6th IHEDN National Session
The 291 cadets of the 6th national intake met for the first time at the École Militaire on 15 and 16 September. On the agenda: an introduction to the teams, an overview of the teaching programme and talks by several senior officials, before they set off on their first immersion experience within the armed forces.
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