Europe’s New Nuclear Deterrence Debate and France's Answer
From Brussels Sprouts by Center for a New American Security | CNAS
March 13, 2026 · 50 min · Episode 74
About this episode
The episode discusses France's new nuclear deterrence doctrine and its implications for European security.
On March 2, 2026, in a speech at France’s Île Longue base, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled major changes to France’s nuclear deterrence doctrine. First, Macron announced an increase, the first since 1992, in France’s nuclear stockpile. France currently maintains 290 warheads and will increase that number to a now-undisclosed count. He also announced a new doctrine, what he called “forward deterrence.” This is a partnership with seven European countries—Germany, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, and Sweden—on strategic issues. That cooperation will include partner participation in nuclear exercises and the potential for France to temporarily deploy nuclear armed fighter jets to other European countries. While France will maintain the independence of its nuclear command and control and remain outside of NATO’s nuclear mission, this extension of the French nuclear umbrella represents a significant shift in French policy in response to the new realities of the European security environment, which includes a less reliable commitment from the United States. To help us understand these changes and to talk through broader implications of a declining U.S…
People in this episode
Guests: Claudia Major, Bruno Tertrais
Topics covered
- nuclear deterrence
- European security
- France's military policy
- U.S. presence in Europe
- strategic partnerships
Keywords
- nuclear stockpile
- forward deterrence
- European countries
- nuclear exercises
- French nuclear umbrella
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: French President
Places: France, Germany, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, Sweden
More episodes of Brussels Sprouts
- Window of Opportunity? Deterrence and Moscow’s Calculus · May 29, 2026 · 55 min
- U.S. Military Posture and Implications for European Security · May 27, 2026 · 45 min
- A State of “Unorder?” · May 8, 2026 · 1h 0m
- Rising Domestic Pressure in Russia? · May 1, 2026 · 56 min
- Transatlantic Adaptation: A More European NATO? · April 24, 2026 · 51 min
- Orban Out: The Impact on European Politics, Ukraine, and Democracy · April 17, 2026 · 56 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Brussels Sprouts podcast page.