FRANCE PERSPECTIVE

Le Monde dedicated a special edition to it, Le Figaro headlined a historic turning point. Macron's speech at Île-Longue constitutes the deepest revision of French nuclear doctrine since the end of the Cold War. The announcement of an increase in the number of nuclear warheads and a new concept of advanced deterrence with eight European partners marks a break with the Gaullist tradition of strict autonomy.

On the political front, consensus is surprisingly broad. Marine Le Pen's RN denounces the dispersal of nuclear capabilities but approves the principle of power. LR says it is reassured on essentials. Mélenchon qualifies the decision as good. Only the Greens express deep reservations, calling for disarmament.

Military experts from IFRI and General Desportes distinguish between nuclear sharing and exercise cooperation. Opacity on the stockpile is hailed as a strategic necessity. The announcement of the next SSBN L'Invincible is commented on as a sign of industrial continuity.

Mediapart questions budgetary priorities while La Croix recalls the ethical dimension of nuclear disarmament. French debate remains, however, dominated by strategic realism: facing Russian threat and American uncertainty, deterrence is perceived as a necessary evil.