The French White Paper on Defence and National Security sets forth a detailed roadmap for defending the nation’s territory and security interests in a globalised world. It also describes how France can contribute to a wider and more effective role for Europe on the international scene.

Upon being elected President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy appointed a wide-ranging Commission to appraise France’s defence and security strategy. The resulting White Paper surveys today’s uncertain world and addresses key questions in the field of international security. It embraces European developments, the transatlantic partnership, the evolution of the United Nations and the changing position of the Western world and its relations with the Asian and African powers. It tackles key changes in French defence and security policy in the coming years, and the essential role of knowledge-based security and intelligence gathering, nuclear deterrence, the protection of citizens, as well as of French and European territory, and future operations abroad.

The book considers questions that lie at the heart of modern military and political strategy. Issues dealt with include Jihadist-inspired terrorism, proliferation of ballistic missiles, preparing for massive cyber attacks, the future shapes of warfare, and the tools for building peace that globalisation affords.

This White Paper will interest everyone concerned about international security and the role of citizens in contributing to their own security.

1. Couverture
2. Titre
3. Copyright
4. Foreword by the President of the French Republic
5. Introduction
6. I - From globalisation to the national security strategy
   1. Chapter 1 - The impact of uncertainty
      1. Positive developments since 1994
      2. Worrying trends
      3. The new strategic situation and instability
   2. Chapter 2 - Consequences for France and Europe
      1. Four critical regions
      2. New vulnerabilities for Europe’s territory and its citizens
      3. The new parameters of security
   3. Chapter 3 - The National Security strategy
      1. The place and responsibilities of France
      2. National Security strategy: definition and objectives
      3. Redefining the key strategic functions
      4. The reform of the Ordinance of January 7, 1959
7. II - European and international ambition
   1. Chapter 4 - France’s ambition for Europe
      1. The European Union, an actor in the field of international security
      2. Institutional developments
      3. Giving priority to crisis management capabilities
      4. A streamlined and competitive European industry
      5. More effective protection for the citizens of Europe
      6. For a European White Paper on defense and security
   2. Chapter 5 - Renovating the transatlantic partnership
      1. The European Union and NATO, two complementary organisations
      2. NATO and international strategic developments
      3. Renewing relations between France and NATO
   3. Chapter 6 - Collective security in the XXIst century
      1. Multilateralism continues to be a founding principle
      2. The central role of the United Nations
      3. Adapting to the demands of prevention, non-proliferation and disarmament
      4. New collective institutions and regional security organisations
      5. The defence of human rights
      6. The role of the European Union in international governance
8. III - A new strategy for action
   1. Chapter 7 - What operations?
      1. Consequences of the new balance of strategic functions
      2. Likely operational commitments
   2. Chapter 8 - Knowledge and anticipation
      1. Intelligence
      2. Knowledge of potential theatres of operation
      3. Benefiting from the diplomatic network
      4. “Horizon-scanning”
      5. Knowledge management
   3. Chapter 9 - Prevention
      1. A permanent early-warning system
      2. Reorientation of cooperation in the field of defence and security
      3. The fight against trafficking
      4. Arms control and anti-proliferation capabilities
      5. Preventing major unintentional crises
      6. Preventive deployment in potential crisis zones
   4. Chapter 10 - Deterrence
      1. Two complementary and modernised components
      2. Maintaining technical credibility
      3. Maintaining communication capability with the nuclear forces
      4. Resources required to ensure the safety of the seaborne component
      5. Resources required in support of the air component
   5. Chapter 11 - Protection
      1. Protecting the nation against crises on a wider scale
      2. Strengthening the resilience of the nation
      3. Improving crisis management on French soil
      4. Establishing objectives and operational contracts for the domestic and civil security structures and for the armed forces
      5. Strengthening cooperation with European States
   6. Chapter 12 - Intervention
      1. Overall objective
      2. Outlook for future operations
      3. Keys to operational superiority
      4. The main objectives of operational capabilities
   7. Chapter 13 - The force structure
      1. The armed forces
      2. Domestic and civil security provisions
9. IV - A roadmap for change
   1. Chapter 14 - Professionals serving the nation
      1. A professional army geared to the new balance of its missions
      2. National security human resources
      3. European and international outlook
   2. Chapter 15 - Government reorganisation
      1. A new organisation at the highest level of the State
      2. A stronger role for Parliament
      3. Clarification of ministerial responsibilities and better governance
   3. Chapter 16 - Industry and research
      1. A competitive but fragmented industry
      2. An industrial strategy with a European focus
      3. The strategic role of research
      4. A new partnership between the defence industry and the State
   4. Chapter 17 - Financing the strategy
      1. Redefining the Nation’s defence effort
      2. How domestic security will contribute to National Security
      3. Improved management of National Security and defence spending
      4. Assessing total National Security spending
   5. Chapter 18 - Rallying the nation
      1. A collective awareness of defence and security challenges
      2. Instruments of Research and “Horizon-scanning”
      3. The duty of remembrance
10. Executive Summary
11. Members of the French white paper commission
    1. Président
    2. Secrétariat général
    3. Membres
12. Members of the staff
13. Glossary
14. Appendicies
15. Décret