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☆ Nuclear War: The Rising Risk, and How We Stop It - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( W.J. Hennigan | W.J. Hennigan Writes About National Security For Opinion. | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

The United States estimates Russia has a stockpile of up to 2,000 tactical nuclear warheads, some small enough they fit in an artillery shell. But the detonation of any tactical nuclear weapon would be an unprecedented test of the dogma of deterrence, a theory that has underwritten America’s military policy for the past 70 years. Possessing nuclear weapons isn’t about winning a nuclear war, the theory goes; it’s about preventing one. If Mr. Putin dropped a nuclear weapon on Ukraine — a nonnuclear nation that’s not covered by anyone’s nuclear umbrella — what then? Many in the administration believed the Kremlin’s dirty bomb ploy posed the greatest risk of nuclear war since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

Persons: Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Lloyd Austin, Russia Sergei Shoigu, Britain Ben Wallace, Defense Turkey Hulusi Akar, Sebastien Lecornu, General Austin, Mark Milley, Biden, Putin’s, William J, Burns Organizations: United, of American, NATO, Defense, State, Defense Turkey, National Defense, Defense Minister American, Russian, Biden, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Moscow, White House, State Department, The Energy Department, Strategic Command, ’, Pentagon, Unmute Defense, Central Intelligence Agency Locations: Washington, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Kharkiv, Kherson, Russian, U.S, Crimean, Moscow, Poland, China, India, Turkey

☆ Philippines, France to Level-Up Defence Ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

By Mikhail FloresMANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines and France agreed to level-up defence cooperation between the two countries, Philippine defence minister Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday. Teodoro met his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu in Manila where he said they are working to get authority from their leaders to begin negotiations for a status of forces agreement. "We intend to take concrete steps to leveling up and making more comprehensive our defense cooperation," Teodoro said in a joint briefingLecornu's Manila visit is the first leg of his trip across the Indo-Pacific which includes stops in Malaysia and the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. France considers itself an Indo-Pacific power, with over 7,000 troops stationed in overseas territories in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Edwina Gibbs)

Persons: Mikhail Flores MANILA, Gilberto Teodoro, Teodoro, Sebastien Lecornu, Mikhail Flores, Lincoln, Edwina Gibbs Locations: Philippines, France, Manila, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Pacific, Indian

☆ Philippines, France to level-up defence ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Mikhail Flores | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The Philippines and France agreed to level-up defence cooperation between the two countries, Philippine defence minister Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday. Teodoro met his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu in Manila where he said they are working to get authority from their leaders to begin negotiations for a status of forces agreement. "We intend to take concrete steps to leveling up and making more comprehensive our defense cooperation," Teodoro said in a joint briefingLecornu's Manila visit is the first leg of his trip across the Indo-Pacific which includes stops in Malaysia and the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. France considers itself an Indo-Pacific power, with over 7,000 troops stationed in overseas territories in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gilberto Teodoro, Teodoro, Sebastien Lecornu, Mikhail Flores, Lincoln, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, France, Manila, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Pacific, Indian

☆ French ministers head to Indo-Pacific, Australia in diplomatic push
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna and French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu leave following the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, November 22, 2023. France, with overseas territories in the Pacific and Indian Ocean and 7,000 troops stationed there, considers itself an Indo-Pacific power. The loss of a major submarine deal with Australia in 2021 forced it rethink its strategy amid ongoing regional tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea. Underscoring those efforts, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu will host in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia between Dec. 4-8 the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting, the first time it has hosted the format since it was created in 2013. While it has diversified its ties across the Pacific, France has also worked on rebuilding its partnership with Australia.

Persons: Catherine Colonna, Sebastien Lecornu, Sarah Meyssonnier, Ferdinand Marcos, Karen Lerna, Sandra Maler Organizations: Foreign, French Defence, REUTERS, South Pacific, South Pacific Defence Ministers, South, Australia, Canberra, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, PARIS, Pacific, Ocean, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia, Britain, United States, South Korea, Spain, Manila, South China, Kuala Lumpur

☆ France to give armoured vehicles to Lebanese army - defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Nov 6 (Reuters) - France will send dozens of armoured vehicles to the Lebanese army so it can properly carry out patrol missions in the country, France's defence minister said in remarks published on Monday. "We will pursue our partnership with military equipment, notably for the transport of troops protected by armour, which is key to maintain patrols," he said, adding that several dozen armoured vehicles would be given to the Lebanese army soon. "Our support for the Lebanese army is for the long-term whatever the current difficulties," Lecornu added. Paris will also provide medicines and is setting up a joint programme to purchase medical supplies at reasonable prices for the Lebanese army in the future, he said. France has sought to use its historical relationship with Lebanon to try to defuse tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, but violence has spiked.

Persons: Lebanon's, Sebastien Lecornu, Lecornu, John Irish, Gareth Jones Organizations: Lebanese, United Nations, UN Interim Force, Thomson Locations: France, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Paris, United States

☆ France Delivers Three Planes of Aid to Gaza, French Boats in Mediterranean
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS (Reuters) - Three French planes delivering 54 tonnes of aid for Gaza arrived in Egypt this weekend and France has three naval vessels in the eastern Mediterranean ready to respond to the evolving situation, senior officials said on Sunday. Israel has rebuffed repeated international calls for a ceasefire in the four weeks since fighters from Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, burst over the border, killing 1,400 people and taking more than 240 others hostage. The French aid was delivered over the weekend by two Airbus A400M planes, which are partially armoured, the French army said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "This humanitarian cargo, which is destined for the civilian populations of the Gaza Strip, contains medicine, food aid, generators," the captain for one of the planes, Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas, said on Saturday morning before taking off. A French helicopter carrier, the Tonnerre, which has medical support facilities, and two naval vessels were in the Mediterranean, the French Army said on X.

Persons: Catherine Colonna, Sebastien Lecornu, Nicolas, Lecornu, Layli Foroudi, Jean Terzian, Andrew Heavens Organizations: PARIS, Airbus, Twitter . Defence, French Army Locations: Gaza, Egypt, France, Doha, Israel, French

☆ France Sends Second Helicopter Carrier to Gaza Coastline Eyeing Medical Help
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - France will send a second French helicopter carrier off the coast of Gaza as it works with Israeli and Egyptian authorities to find a way to provide medical assistance to people affected by the bombings in the besieged area. Paris has already sent the Tonnerre carrier to the eastern Mediterranean on what President Emmanuel Macron described as a mission to support Gaza hospitals. Egypt this week began admitting limited numbers of wounded across its Gaza border. Speaking to France Info radio, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the helicopter carrier Dixmude would also now be heading to the region. He said he hoped that France's decision to send ships would encourage others to do so therefore creating critical mass.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Sebastien Lecornu, Lecornu, John Irish, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: PARIS, Defence Locations: France, French, Gaza, Paris, Egypt

Germany will announce new support packages for Ukraine during the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Monday. The preliminary work is "practically completed," Pistorius said during a joint press conference with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu in Berlin. Pistorius added that he expects the NATO summit will be "very united" and that it "must be, in light of the current situation." While pre-summit discussions have strengthened his hope, Pistorius said he is watching the issue of Sweden's accession to NATO and "how Turkey and Hungary will act." Lecornu said it was key for the allies that Sweden becomes a NATO member "as quickly as possible."

Persons: Boris Pistorius, Pistorius, Sebastien Lecornu, Lecornu Organizations: Ukraine, NATO, German Locations: Germany, Vilnius, Lithuania, Berlin, Turkey, Hungary, Sweden

RAAs create frameworks to facilitate military cooperation, such as making the entry of foreign personnel and equipment easier for the visiting force. France's Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said last monththat Paris was hoping to agree RAAs with Japan, enabling the two sides to strengthen their military operability and exchanges. Japan and France have already held numerous joint military exercises over the past few years bilaterally and also as part of a wider group. After signing defence cooperation deals with Canberra and London, Japan could next sign one with the Philippines. The agreements are expected to allow for faster deployment of armed forces in joint military exercises and in the event of natural disasters.

☆ High-tech French army truck maker sees demand for low-tech artillery components
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Clotaire Achi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] The logo of Arquus, a unit of Volvo AB, is pictured at the production plant in Limoges, France, April 6, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit TessierLIMOGES, France, April 7 (Reuters) - French armoured truck maker Arquus, specialised in manufacturing high-tech off-road military vehicles, has gone back to producing more low-tech undercarriages for howitzers as the ground war in Ukraine boosts demand for artillery. Arquus Chief Executive Emmanuel Levacher told Reuters that the firm had stopped producing the undercarriages because until recently there was no more demand. "There could be even higher demand, particularly for export, which motivated us to relaunch production here in Limoges," he said. Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu has asked French military equipment makers to scale up capacities to "war-time mode" and has pledged to repatriate some previously outsourced activities.

ABIDJAN/OUAGADOUGOU, Feb 20 (Reuters) - France's defence minister pledged on Monday to boost military support to Ivory Coast, as Paris adjusts its strategy in West Africa after neighbouring Burkina Faso ordered French troops to leave and vowed to curb a worsening Islamist insurgency solo. The two jihadist groups have taken over swathes of land and displaced millions of people in Burkina, Mali and Niger. Burkina Faso has denied an allegation that Russian mercenaries are in the country, but its prime minister in December said it would welcome Russia's help in its fight against the insurgents. OTHER PARTNERSThe countries' rejection of French military help could allow other states in the region to put themselves forward as more reliable partners to Western powers. "Ivory Coast and Benin have the will to fight against terrorism," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

[1/2] A car rides on an empty road near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine January 29, 2023. In Paris after meeting Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said "there was no taboo" about supplying Kyiv with fighter planes. Russian forces on Tuesday made no headway in attempts to advance on Avdiivka, the second focal point of Russian attacks in Donetsk region, Kyiv's military general staff said. Russian forces also tried to advance near Lyman, a town further north in Donetsk region that was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in October, the military said. Russia was reaching further west in Donetsk by firing on the town of Vuhledar and a half dozen other towns and villages, the Ukraine military said.

☆ France to sell 2 observation satellites to Poland -minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS, Dec 27 (Reuters) - France and Poland have signed a deal for the sale of two French observation satellites to Poland, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Twitter. "This major contract reflects Poland's trust in our technology and industry," Lecornu said after meeting with his Polish counterpart in Warsaw. The Polish Armament Agency said the net value of the deal is around 575 million euros ($611.69 million) and that the launch into space of the Polish satellites produced by Airbus Defence & Space (AIR.PA) is to be completed by 2027. ($1 = 0.9400 euros)Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Additional reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw; editing by David Evans and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Russia's Shoigu holds second call with U.S. defense secretary in three days
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Kremlin via REUTERSOct 23 (Reuters) - Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday for the second time in three days and held a flurry of calls with three other counterparts from NATO countries. Its readouts on the other calls said Shoigu had said the situation in Ukraine was worsening. "They discussed the situation in Ukraine which is rapidly deteriorating," the Russian defence ministry said of Shoigu's call with French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterShoigu spoke separately to Turkey's defence minister Hulusi Akar and Britain's Ben Wallace. With Russia reeling from successive defeats in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has said it would resort to nuclear weapons if necessary to defend its "territorial integrity".

☆ Russia's Shoigu warns of 'uncontrolled escalation' in Ukraine conflict
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 23 (Reuters) - Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his French counterpart in a telephone call on Sunday that the situation in Ukraine was rapidly deteriorating and trending towards "uncontrolled escalation". In a phone call with French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu published by the Russian side, Shoigu said Moscow had concerns Ukraine could use a "dirty bomb" in the conflict, without providing evidence to support the suggestion that Ukraine might use such a weapeon. "They discussed the situation in Ukraine which is rapidly deteriorating," the defence ministry said in a readout of the call. "It is trending towards further uncontrolled escalation." The defence ministry did not provide any further information on its statement.

☆ France's Macron says there is chance for peace in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ROME, Oct 23 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday he believed there was a chance for peace in Ukraine, even as Russia warned the conflict there could escalate. "There is the prospect for peace, it will come around at some moment," said Macron at a conference in Rome aimed at seeking ways to promote world peace. Russia fired missiles and drones into Ukrainian-held Mykolaiv on Sunday, and Moscow said the conflict was trending towards "uncontrolled escalation". Without providing evidence, Shoigu said Ukraine could escalate with a "dirty bomb" - conventional explosives laced with radioactive material. Ukraine does not possess nuclear weapons, while Russia has said it could protect Russian territory with its nuclear arsenal.

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