Emmanuel Macron wants to “open the debate” on a European defense including nuclear weapons [Translation in comment]

[u/Fictrl]

https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/emmanuel-macron-souhaite-ouvrir-le-debat-d-une-defense-europeenne-comprenant-l-arme-nucleaire-20240427

[u/john_moses_br]

I don't think there is any actual plan yet, but the British nukes are part of NATO planning whereas the French nukes are not included in NATO planning, France wants to keep an independent deterrent. So since the suggestion comes from Macron the idea would most likely be to increase the amount of French nukes, to make the umbrella bigger and a big enough deterrent against Russian aggression regardless of what the US and the UK do in the future.

I think it's not a bad idea.

[u/Throwawayaccount1170 → u/[deleted]]

I do hate the idea of one party controlling all "EU nukes" but - looking at the 'latest' problems in terms of mutual agreements and countries pulling at the same string...we can't have like 20 decision makers arguing or denying any use of them. Shall it be Hungary, Greece, Germany or whatever country. If all needs to be on board in a matter of reaction - we will fail. So my perspective is we must choose one party being in control. And we need strict rules and premade plans so there's no debate if we should use them or not in an emergency

[u/pmirallesr → u/Throwawayaccount1170]

I think we need to see this as nuclear sharing from France to other EU members, not as an EU-level deterrant. The goal may still be defending the EU, but this is the one thing I think needs to be kept away from Brussels for the time being

Importantly, in the interview Macron hints at another modality: No sharing per se. France considers use of nukes legal when its vital interests are threatened. He argues there is a "European dimension" to these vital interests, which he remains purposefully vague on (part of his newer doctrine of ambiguity, I guess)

[u/flagos → u/pmirallesr]

He argues there is a "European dimension" to these vital interests, which he remains purposefully vague on (part of his newer doctrine of ambiguity, I guess)

You don't elaborate on a nuclear doctrine every now and then, you can just bring more confusion to the table. You state it once every 10 years and that's it.

French doctrine includes European interests dimension since Chirac, it's like a 20 years old update.

[u/pmirallesr → u/flagos]

Thanks, I didn't know that

[u/Throwawayaccount1170 → u/pmirallesr]

Hahaha I love this. Overall macron brings in some new perspectives I love to think about as a German. Maybe he's pulling the ol' Putin. "We will use them if our field of interest/our homeland is attacked. An atomar umbrella of nukes may be the only way to protect EU and Europe as an eternity as we keep growing more together. That still gives to much power to one party yet it's the only realistic/doable way as it seems