The role of French nuclear deterrence in fostering a new European strategic culture for genuine European strategic autonomy

Following the dual geostrategic shock Europe has endured — on the one hand, Russia’s
ongoing aggression against Ukraine over the past four years, in the heart of Europe and under
the shadow of its nuclear deterrence; and on the other hand, the increasingly visible
divergence between American and European strategic interests — it has become extremely
difficult for many Europeans to fully grasp the nature of the current situation.

The erosion of international law and the return of Great Power competition challenge the
traditional European pacifism born from the near self-destruction of the first half of the
twentieth century. International security institutions, foremost among them the UN, no longer
fully perform their role of regulating international relations and peacefully resolving conflicts
between states.

In this emerging and increasingly complex strategic environment, Europeans struggle to cope
with uncertainty and manage strategic ambiguity. They can no longer rely on the comfortable
clarity of American strategic leadership, remaining confined to the operational level, where
one merely executes what has already been planned. Europeans must regain self-confidence,
determine where they wish to position themselves strategically, and therefore learn once
again to speak the language of power to shape events rather than endure them.

Thanks to their nuclear deterrence and permanent membership of the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC), France and the United Kingdom are more accustomed to thinking
and acting strategically on a global scale in an uncertain and complex environment, including
when confronted with threats to their vital national interests.