Debates on defence, most often and unfortunately, turn into discussions about programmes and budgets. Yet it is on the basis of geopolitical analysis and political plans that foreign, security and defence policies must be defined. This article attempts to show that national strategy has to be revised in depth taking account of new geostrategic factors, the Atlantic Alliance and continuing European integration. Important changes and continuity are equally necessary.
A Renewed Strategy for the Twenty-First Century
Defence is often cited as an obvious example of a system that only has technical, organisational and budgetary problems. Nothing could be further from the truth. Theoretical considerations are just as fundamental in this field, now as in the past.
It is tempting to give blunt answers to complex questions where budgetary stability needs to be maintained. Choices can only be made when it is known why a defence tool is required. There may be as many answers as there are political plans. Today one can only realistically imagine defence at the European level on the basis of the experiences of our national defence organisation.
Strategic Turning Points
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, 11 September 2001 was a second defining moment that served, belatedly, to rouse some of those who had been mistaken in their diagnosis of the first. We enjoyed the dividends without achieving peace, because new threats emerged. The major functional elements of defence policy have been affected. From now on they will have to be expressed realistically, taking due account of the European project and the Atlantic Alliance.
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