Presentation
The Paris Defense and Strategic Forum (PDSF) is a first-of-its-kind international event, with a strong ambition: to promote French strategic thinking around the world.
The PDSF follows in the footsteps of major international conferences devoted to defense and security issues. Based on forward-looking debates and cross-disciplinary exchanges, the program explores the challenges and prospects of the return of war to Europe, the interplay of strategic developments in the East, South and Asia, issues of information and influence, and major technological and societal transitions.
For two days, French and international experts, both civilian and military, will share their analyses and solutions at round tables, conferences, workshops and war games.
For its first edition, the PDSF is devoting its program to a major topical theme: Europe at the crossroads, structured around three themes for a better reflection:
Unprecedented international event, the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF) responds to a strong ambition: to enable French and European strategic thinking to contribute more effectively to the broader debate on major security and defense issues.
The PDSF is part of the tradition of major international conferences devoted to defense and security issues. Allowing ample room for forward-looking debates and exchanges between all disciplines, its program explores the challenges and perspectives of the return of war to Europe, the interactions of strategic developments in the East, South and Asia, information and influence issues, as well as major technological and societal transitions.
For two days, French and international experts, civilians and military personnel, will share their analyses and solutions in roundtable discussions, conferences, workshops, or strategic gaming simulations. For its first edition, the PDSF dedicates its program to a major current topic: Europe at the Crossroads, structured around three themes of reflection:
Unprecedented international event, the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF) responds to a strong ambition: to enable French and European strategic thinking to contribute more effectively to the broader debate on major security and defense issues.
The PDSF is part of the tradition of major international conferences devoted to defense and security issues. Leaving ample room for prospective debates and exchanges between all disciplines, its program explores the challenges and perspectives of the return of war in Europe, the interactions of strategic developments in the East, South, and Asia, issues of information and influence, as well as major technological and societal transitions.
For two days, French and international experts, civilian and military, will share their analyses and solutions within roundtable discussions, conferences, workshops, or strategic gaming simulations. For its first edition, the PDSF dedicates its program to a major current topic: Europe at the Crossroads, structured around three themes of reflection:
Defense and security architectures and policies: Europe at the heart of a transformation
To explore the changes in defense structures and security policies that are redefining the European landscape.
Europe is undergoing a transformation of its defense and security architectures. The geographical proximity of war has transformed the map of Europe's strategic interests. The system of alliances, partnerships and coalitions is being re-configured: the transatlantic alliance is no longer in competition with European defense; transatlantic security and relations between NATO and the EU are being strengthened; and a significant cooperation between the EU and NATO unfolds in the naval and air fields.
With the war in Ukraine, Europe must also reflect on the future of the European defense industrial and technological base, and of European armaments programs. A war economy for Europe needs to be launched, along with a new drive towards a common strategic culture. The return of war calls for a renewed approach to supporting disruptive innovation in technological fields of interest to defense, but also for tackling other challenges: European armies are faced with the challenges of climate change and the need for energy efficiency.
Defense and security architectures and policies: Europe at the heart of a transformation
To explore the changes in defense structures and security policies that are redefining the European landscape.
Europe is undergoing a transformation of its defense and security architectures. The geographical proximity of war has transformed the map of Europe's strategic interests. The system of alliances, partnerships and coalitions is being re-configured: the transatlantic alliance is no longer in competition with European defense; transatlantic security and relations between NATO and the EU are being strengthened; and a significant cooperation between the EU and NATO unfolds in the naval and air fields.
With the war in Ukraine, Europe must also reflect on the future of the European defense industrial and technological base, and of European armaments programs. A war economy for Europe needs to be launched, along with a new drive towards a common strategic culture. The return of war calls for a renewed approach to supporting disruptive innovation in technological fields of interest to defense, but also for tackling other challenges: European armies are faced with the challenges of climate change and the need for energy efficiency.
Defense and security architectures and policies: Europe at the heart of a transformation
To explore the changes in defense structures and security policies that are redefining the European landscape.
Europe is undergoing a transformation of its defense and security architectures. The geographical proximity of war has transformed the map of Europe's strategic interests. The system of alliances, partnerships and coalitions is being re-configured: the transatlantic alliance is no longer in competition with European defense; transatlantic security and relations between NATO and the EU are being strengthened; and a significant cooperation between the EU and NATO unfolds in the naval and air fields.
With the war in Ukraine, Europe must also reflect on the future of the European defense industrial and technological base, and of European armaments programs. A war economy for Europe needs to be launched, along with a new drive towards a common strategic culture. The return of war calls for a renewed approach to supporting disruptive innovation in technological fields of interest to defense, but also for tackling other challenges: European armies are faced with the challenges of climate change and the need for energy efficiency.
Regional approaches and geopolitical challenges: Europe as a geopolitical crossroads
To delve into the regional approaches and geopolitical challenges shaping Europe's role on the world stage.
European geopolitics have been reshaping since the start of the war in Ukraine, particularly in the East, but also in the Baltic region. Southern Europe is evolving in contact with the other countries bordering the Mediterranean. Our continent has always been a crossroads between several of the world's major regions: its history links it particularly to Africa, where Europe's presence suffers from the security situation; its territories also link it to the Indian and Pacific oceans.
In this context, Europe needs to grasp the implications of the geopolitical challenges posed by China, but also, more generally, to understand how what we might today call "coercive negotiation between states" works. War and strategy studies, the core of the strategic thinking developed by ACADEM, are therefore essential to understanding the challenges that the world poses to Europe.
Regional approaches and geopolitical challenges: Europe as a geopolitical crossroads
To delve into the regional approaches and geopolitical challenges shaping Europe's role on the world stage.
European geopolitics have been reshaping since the start of the war in Ukraine, particularly in the East, but also in the Baltic region. Southern Europe is evolving in contact with the other countries bordering the Mediterranean. Our continent has always been a crossroads between several of the world's major regions: its history links it particularly to Africa, where Europe's presence suffers from the security situation; its territories also link it to the Indian and Pacific oceans.
In this context, Europe needs to grasp the implications of the geopolitical challenges posed by China, but also, more generally, to understand how what we might today call "coercive negotiation between states" works. War and strategy studies, the core of the strategic thinking developed by ACADEM, are therefore essential to understanding the challenges that the world poses to Europe.
Regional approaches and geopolitical challenges: Europe as a geopolitical crossroads
To delve into the regional approaches and geopolitical challenges shaping Europe's role on the world stage.
European geopolitics have been reshaping since the start of the war in Ukraine, particularly in the East, but also in the Baltic region. Southern Europe is evolving in contact with the other countries bordering the Mediterranean. Our continent has always been a crossroads between several of the world's major regions: its history links it particularly to Africa, where Europe's presence suffers from the security situation; its territories also link it to the Indian and Pacific oceans.
In this context, Europe needs to grasp the implications of the geopolitical challenges posed by China, but also, more generally, to understand how what we might today call "coercive negotiation between states" works. War and strategy studies, the core of the strategic thinking developed by ACADEM, are therefore essential to understanding the challenges that the world poses to Europe.
Approaches by environment, field and means: Europe at the tipping point of a new era
To observe the various transitions influencing future strategic scenarios.
The return of war in Ukraine, and the evolution of societies, have brought European armies to a tipping point: all environments - land, sea and air - are affected, as well as outer space; competitive fields, such as the information field, are becoming increasingly important. European democracies must face up to the new challenges of cyber-defense and disinformation. The emergence of the strategic function of "influence" reinforces the importance of intelligence. Nuclear deterrence is now seen in a new light, in the wake of Russia’s stance.
These new challenges are more dual in nature, blending what was traditionally the military domain with what comes from the civilian sphere. They are forcing European armies to engage in a "war for talent", in the context of heightened competition with the private sector for recruitment. They raise the question of social support and the adaptation of management and command models. So, is this a question of simple evolution, or world change ?
Approaches by environment, field and means: Europe at the tipping point of a new era
To observe the various transitions influencing future strategic scenarios.
The return of war in Ukraine, and the evolution of societies, have brought European armies to a tipping point: all environments - land, sea and air - are affected, as well as outer space; competitive fields, such as the information field, are becoming increasingly important. European democracies must face up to the new challenges of cyber-defense and disinformation. The emergence of the strategic function of "influence" reinforces the importance of intelligence. Nuclear deterrence is now seen in a new light, in the wake of Russia’s stance.
These new challenges are more dual in nature, blending what was traditionally the military domain with what comes from the civilian sphere. They are forcing European armies to engage in a "war for talent", in the context of heightened competition with the private sector for recruitment. They raise the question of social support and the adaptation of management and command models. So, is this a question of simple evolution, or world change ?
Approaches by environment, field and means: Europe at the tipping point of a new era
To observe the various transitions influencing future strategic scenarios.
The return of war in Ukraine, and the evolution of societies, have brought European armies to a tipping point: all environments - land, sea and air - are affected, as well as outer space; competitive fields, such as the information field, are becoming increasingly important. European democracies must face up to the new challenges of cyber-defense and disinformation. The emergence of the strategic function of "influence" reinforces the importance of intelligence. Nuclear deterrence is now seen in a new light, in the wake of Russia’s stance.
These new challenges are more dual in nature, blending what was traditionally the military domain with what comes from the civilian sphere. They are forcing European armies to engage in a "war for talent", in the context of heightened competition with the private sector for recruitment. They raise the question of social support and the adaptation of management and command models. So, is this a question of simple evolution, or world change ?
Discover the 2024 programme
Publication
Read excerpts from the first edition of the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum in this special issue of Academie member Revue Défense nationale (RDN).
© Paris Defence and Strategy Forum 2025
© Paris Defence and Strategy Forum 2025
© Paris Defence and Strategy Forum 2025