INTRODUCTION TO IRIS

IRIS was established in 1991 as a result of a private initiative. Despite a strongly compartmentalized domestic environment, IRIS has progressively established itself as a leading actor in international and strategic studies among various French think tanks.

IRIS was created with three fundamental objectives in mind:
> to contribute to the research and debate on international and strategic matters by offering an original and innovative approach on national and international issues;
> to create a truly independent center of expertise;;
> to create a space for dialogue and reflection between the strategic actors and specialists from different professional and philosophical backgrounds : politicians, government officials, industry and military leaders, experts and academics.

IRIS focuses primarily on issues relating to foreign policy, strategic policy, security and defense. As an independent and non-partisan center of expertise, IRIS's team of specialists, extensive networks, and high-quality analysis make the institution both a strong corporate partner for international business development and a reliable contact for public institutions. Through numerous exchanges with foreign research centers and with the political, economic and diplomatic circles, IRIS has developed a network of specialists around the world, permitting the institution to broaden and improve its range of activities as well as its audience, helping it to become a true "think tank".

As a research institution pursuant to the French "loi 1901", IRIS organizes its activities around four main areas. The interaction between these areas has been carefully developed to ensure the mutual reinforcement of each sector.

RESEARCH

The research team includes directors of research, research fellows, and associated research fellows. Researchers cover regional areas as well as cross-disciplinary issues, allowing each area of research to have a multidisciplinary team.

IRIS covers all geographical areas of the planet as well as the following cross-disciplinary issues:
Defense/Security - ESDP and NATO - Defense Economics - Crisis Management, New Kinds of Warfare, Stabilization, Reconstruction - Defense Industry - Arms Exports Control, Disarmament - Intelligence - Concepts of Global and National Security - Defense Policy - Economic and Security Challenges - Competitive Business - International Trade and International Economics - Raw Materials and Natural Resources - Climate Change - International Migration Trends and Economy of Development - Energy Resources - Environmental Security, Energy Security and Supply - Geopolitics of Water - Socio-cultural aspects of Security - Religion - Regional Identity, Nationalism and Extremism - Strategic Issues and Balance of Power - Sport and International Relations.

IRIS undertakes studies for a variety of clients (French and Foreign Ministries, International Institutions, Multinational Corporations).

Simultaneously, outside of these obligations, IRIS has set up long-term research programs in order to continually study the evolution of strategic issues. The development policy of research at IRIS is based around three axes :

> The implementation of research programs: These research programs, financed through public-private partnerships, aim to satisfy operational needs identified by the public authorities and private donors.
> Cooperation for studies and notes of consultancy: The policy of IRIS is to set up research teams suited to the needs of silent partners. Thus, IRIS requires a strong core, starting with its research team, whose members all have the necessary external competence.
> Cooperation on the international level: The policy of IRIS is to seek as much cooperation as possible at the European and international levels in order to extend its network of influence and to offer a full and extensive expertise.

EVENTS

IRIS organizes a variety of conferences, seminars, meetings and breakfasts, hosting approximately 40 events per year. These range from large international seminars open to the public, allowing them to get a feel for current world affairs, to more intimate and confidential meetings for high-ranking economic and political leaders to discuss more important strategic issues. Political, economic and military decision-makers, French journalists and foreigners compare their ideas and opinions on hot topics of international affairs, at the Annual Strategic Conferences, an annual gathering created by IRIS in 1997.
These functions are closely linked to the research department, which provides the intellectual discourse.

EDUCATION

> Degrees of Higher Education - IRIS SUP'
In order to extend its research and teaching activities, IRIS has created IRIS SUP', a private, higher-education establishment registered with the Paris rectory. This institution currently offers six different post-graduate degrees geared towards the professional realm: International relations; Geo-economics and strategic intelligence; Defense, security, and crisis management; European strategic issues; Humanitarian careers; International community action and decentralized cooperation.

> Professional Training Courses
As an authorized training center, IRIS offers professional training courses based on the study of major geo-strategic problems. These courses are open to anyone who may be interested, whether it is for professional needs or personal interest, to develop their knowledge and to enhance their ability to analyze the international situation, whether it is economically, politically, socially, culturally, or diplomatically related. There are a variety of subjects covered : Crime and international delinquency; the Middle-East; Geopolitics of the European Union; African Studies; Issues of Defense and Strategy; Economic Influence and Intelligence; Geopolitics of Water, etc. For 10 years, the reputation of these modules has helped IRIS to become a highly-solicited partner by corporations looking to organize specific seminars for their top executives.

PUBLICATIONS

IRIS produces several publications that build upon the intellectual production of the research staff while also taking a position in the international strategic debate :
> L'Année Stratégique: a yearly reference book that, since its creation in 1985, has provided the public with a broad yet detailed yearly overview of the world and the global strategic interactions that influence the international scene. The articles give a number of examples through statistics, maps, and chronologies and are all supported by internet site references and bibliographical references.
> La Revue Internationale et Stratégique: a quarterly journal, lead by Pascal Boniface, that since its creation in 1991 has closely followed the intellectual debate in the world of international relations and strategic issues. It confronts a variety of ideas and authors from all over the world. This journal assembles the contributions of researchers, political analysts, economists, politicians, government officials and private actors, thus combining, in keeping with IRIS's tradition, the work of individuals from diverse institutional and professional backgrounds.
> La collection "Enjeux stratégiques" allows experts to outline the problematic of important current international and strategic issues in the form at concise, educational books.

IRIS ONLINE

> The IRIS weekly newsletter is sent via email to more than 16,000 individuals. It allows subscribers to keep track of the numerous media-related activities undertaken by IRIS (print media, radio and television) and the analysis and in-depth articles produced by IRIS regarding current affairs (published on the IRIS website or in other media outlets and journals). Over the years, this newsletter has established an important link between readers far and near, that helps those who are interested stay informed of what goes on at IRIS.
> www.iris-france.org gives an overview of IRIS, its activities, and its staff and includes online publications on strategic affairs. Receiving over 160,000 unique visitors per month, the site has become one of the most visited francophone internet sites dealing with international and strategic issues.
> www.affaires-strategiques.info is an impressive tool for expression, reaction to and also communication with the outer world. The site was conceived to permit interaction on current affairs and to provide an additional resource to traditional media. As such, the site seeks to provide an academic tool, allowing internet users a unique interpretation of international events. It includes written and detailed analyses, video clips, short reactions to current major headlines or world issues, debates between experts, and reflection on contemporary geopolitical affairs.