En 2022, an Italian supply plane participated in a French nuclear exercise. A symbolic gesture, but a first step. Two years earlier, Emmanuel Macron had marked, more than his predecessors had done so, the European dimension of our “Vital interests”and invited our partners to dialogue, even participation in such exercises. Some of them accepted the debate, but the conversations were discreet. And not free of hesitations to go further, for fear of provoking a negative reaction from the United States.
Is it now time to deploy a real European “nuclear umbrella” above the continent? It is important to distinguish two scenarios very different from each other: that in which the American engagement in Europe is lasting, and that, still hypothetical but less and less improbable, of a termination of the transatlantic nuclear security contract.
If it is necessary to go further now, it is because it is in our national interest. Our neighbors are worried and are asking for: but there will be no prosperous Europe, and therefore prosperous France, without the assurance of ultimate protection for them too.
Reassure his allies
The first scenario is that of “complementary insurance”. What to do as long as the Americans are still there? First, consult and listen to our allies, especially the most concerned – Germany, Poland, Pays Baltes. Then act with the British. We could assert together the vocation of our forces to protect our European allies.
A track would be to extend the so -called “chequers” language [du nom de la résidence de villégiature du premier ministre du Royaume-Uni] :: In 1995, London and Paris said they “Ne imagine[aient] not that the vital interests of one be threatened without those of the other being also ”.
France could also consider a strong operational signal by temporarily deploying the bursts of strategic air forces (FAS), without their weapons, on the basics of some of our most worried partners (such as Poland). She could participate as an observer in the work of the NATO nuclear plans group. This political message to our European partners would be a measure of confidence for those who always suspect us – wrongly – to want to weaken the transatlantic organization.
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Source: Lemonde