Défense nationale is a publication whose purpose is to tackle all - national and international - political, economic, social and scientific issues by considering them from the viewpoint of defence. This specific aspect enabled it to outlive WW II and later on all the crises, hardships and regime changes that followed. Its readers in France all still share a common interest in defence and security, despite any differences in opinion, origins or political sensitivity.

Défense nationale exists to meet this aim. Unlike many periodicals dealing with armaments and military issues, it is not dependent upon any economic group, any financial body or any official institution. It is published by the Committee for National Defence Studies, an association as defined in the law of 1901; it recruits its own members, elects its own board of directors and appoints its chairman, who is also the director of the publication. Défense nationale is financed through subscriptions, advertising income and its own resources. Thus, its independence is guaranteed.

This independence allows deliberately looking for the most gifted authors to cover all topical issues and letting them think freely, by being careful to have all the various shades of opinion as well as having even-handed and clear information.

Défense nationale will also endeavour to preserve its image and its vocation, while meeting the specific expectations of younger generations in the future.

Disseminating new ideas - which is our purpose - is necessary to develop new thinking that could inform strategic thought after discussion and refinement.

Défense nationale aims to become the start-up structure for this renewed strategic thinking, primarily for European defence issues, even for the defence of Europe at some future date, while welcoming other ideas. To achieve this aim, it will increasingly open up both towards education and research, towards Europe, America and the Asian Pacific area.