I/Introduction and biography

          Published on 10 October by Plon, Vers la guerre? (Towards War?) by French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu offers a sharp analysis of the French military's position amidst a world undergoing rearmament. In line with Bruno Le Maire’s La Voie Française, Lecornu provides a reflection rooted in current and historical contexts, examining the strategic foundations and challenges faced by France's armed forces. 

Spanning 288 pages, the book is organised into four key sections, which canbe summarised as follows: 

1.The Doctrinal and Capacitative Origins of the French Army since 1945 

2.The Rise of New Threats 

3.The Current State ofthe French Army and Its Future Prospects 

4.The Central Role of Politics in Defence Strategy Our analysis will first identify the book's mainthemes, then delve into its underlying ideas, and conclude with a brief personal critique. 

About the Author 

          Sébastien Lecornu, born on11June 1986, brings a blend of academic grounding and political acumento his work. A graduate of the University of Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas with a degree in law, he quickly transitioned into politics. From 2008 to 2012, Lecornu served as a ministerial advisor onEuropeanaffairs inFrançois Fillon’s second government, later collaboratingwithBruno Le Maire atthe Ministry ofAgriculture. In 2014, he was elected mayor of Vernon, a small town in the Eure region near Giverny, whose motto Vernon semper viret(Vernon always green) reflects its resilience. His career trajectory took him to the Ministry of Ecological Transition as Secretary of State in 2017, then to responsibilities for local authorities (2018) and France’s OverseasTerritories (2020). On 20 May 2022, Lecornu was appointed Minister of the Armed Forces, earning recognition as “a young but seasoned leader,” according to Le Point. 

          Through Vers la guerre?, Lecornu not only dissects the historical and current dynamics of the French military but also invites readers to reflect on the broader geopolitical shifts shaping our world. As we explore this book, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of its insights and critique its contributions to the ongoing dialogue about defence and global security.

II/ Context

        Sébastien Lecornu’s Vers la guerre ? offers a profound and thought-provoking analysis of France’s defence policy and strategic posture, deeply influenced by historical and politico-strategic contexts. Rooted in long-term reflections, the book navigates through decades of military evolutionwhile remaining acutely aware of contemporary challenges. From the opening pages, Lecornu pays homage to his ideological predecessors, notably Pierre Messmer, Minister of the Armed Forces under Charles de Gaulle (1960–1969). Lecornu cites Messmer as a "constant source of inspiration," underscoring his admiration for a period marked by the renaissance of France’s military and strategic capacities. Fittingly, the book’s sole appendix is devoted to the Programme Law of 8 December 1960, a legislative cornerstone that symbolised the post-WWII rebirth ofthe French armed forces.This historical lens sets the tone for Lecornu’s work, enriched by quotations from Messmer and De Gaulle, as well as philosophical musings from figures like Sun Tzu, Fénelon, and GeneralAndréBeaufre.

A Long-Term Perspective on Defence 

         The book’s first section delves into the historical trajectory of the French military. Lecornu explores its vulnerabilities in the aftermath of 1945, including the challenges of the First Indochina War (1946–1954) and the Algerian War (1954–1962). He traces its resurgence under De Gaulle’s leadership and its structural adaptations to changing conflict dynamics and the international order, culminating in reflections on its gradual decline. Lecornu highlights the challenges posed by contemporary political realities, referencing “the last legislative campaign of summer 2024” to illustrate the strains of cohabitation on defence policy. A dedicated chapter examines the so-called "reserved domain" of the President in defence matters, prompted by Marine Le Pen’s assertion that the President’s title as Chef des armées is "merely honorary" given the budgetary authority of the Prime Minister. This discussion segues into an analysis of the 2024–2030 Military Programming Law and its significance in ensuring sustained funding amidst fiscal constraints. Lecornu acknowledges Florence Parly’s pivotal role in securing a financial rebound for the defence sector but emphasises his ownresponsibility insafeguarding these gains during leaner times.

Defence in a European and Strategic Context 

          The Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 looms large over Lecornu’s narrative, serving as a stark reminder of Europe’s fragile security environment. He reaffirms the centrality of France’s nuclear deterrent, a pillar of Gaullist doctrine, while critiquing Emmanuel Macron’s perceived hesitancy in articulating its strategic importance. The book concludes with a comprehensive discussion on France’s alliance frameworks—NATO,theEuropeanUnion, and beyond—and their future trajectories. With Vers la guerre ?, Sébastien Lecornu delivers a meticulously researched and ideologically anchored account of French defence policy, offering readers a rich blend of historical insight, strategic foresight, and political critique. The book stands as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of France’s military and strategic positioning inanincreasingly turbulentworld.

III/ Thèse de l'auteur :  

“We are no longer at peace.” and “To stand firm. For the success of France’s armed forces.” 

          These words, which both open and close the conclusion of Vers la guerre ?, encapsulate the core message of Sébastien Lecornu’s work. Drawing on his experience as Minister of the Armed Forces, Lecornu presents the concept of French realism, navigating the delicate balance between military strength and national will. Despite the esteem in which the French Army is held by the public, it remains underappreciated and often misunderstood. Lecornu’s book seeks to address this gap, conscientiously outlining a path forward that hinges on public support. In his precise words: “Our rearmament therefore deserves a general mobilisation, and this cannot simply be a matter of money.” 

          Lecornu’s realism also highlights the risks posed by incoherence, particularly when a nation's defence policy is mismatched with its foreign policy or operational needs. Olivier Zajec’s analysis underscores the critical alignment required between three key elements: declaratory strategy (political articulation of national interests), operational strategy (military doctrine to execute those interests), and resource strategy (acquired capabilities to support the former two). Lecornu warns of the potential consequences of misalignment, citing the British experience, where the loss of certain military capabilities became irreversible. France, he argues, has so far avoided this pitfall by maintaining a “sample army” – elegant but modest, a force criticised by some as resembling a bonsaitree. To resist political misunderstanding and budgetary pressures, Lecornu describes what he terms the "hedgehog mentality" within military circles. Whenever meetings at Bercy or Matignon to scrutinise military programming budgets were called, the armed forces would freeze, bristling in self-defence. This defensive posture, he contends, has fostered a spirit of inertia that persists today – a troubling paradox given his primary goal: preparing France for thewars ofthe future

           Far from being limited to funding, this preparation must translate into tangible readiness against emerging hybrid threats. Lecornu identifies these as insidious, exploiting democratic structures and increasingly impacting civilianlife. The book concludeswith poignant questions that challenge the reader and the nation alike: 

    - If we see these dangers,why arewenot better prepared for them? 

   - If we understand that these threats are hybrid, subtle, and aimed at civilians, why are we not hastening the preparation of society as a whole to confrontthem? If we believe France should retain its global vocation and continue fulfilling its historic role, why are we not collectively ensuring it remains a great power? 

Vers la guerre ? is not merely a reflection; itis a rallying cry for a France that recognises its challenges and readies itselfto meetthem headon.

IV/ Insights

Substance: 

          Vers la guerre ? is a highly lucid work, divided into four sections and eighteen chapters. Without dwelling excessively on any one particular point, it provides a comprehensive overview of the French military institution. While some parts of the book venture somewhat into theoretical territory, especially on organisational and decision-making matters, the author does not appear intent on offering a radically newtheoreticalframework.Instead,the book seems to serve as awake-up call, raising urgent concerns. A brief personal anecdote highlights this: I was taken aback to learn of the book’s sudden stock shortage at the vast Gibert Joseph on Boulevard Saint-Michel during my first attemptto acquire it. This, in itself, is a fitting reflection ofthe role Sébastien Lecornu occupies—less concerned with minute details and more adept at fulfilling his function as the “intermediary” between the military world and civilian society. This success is all the more remarkable considering that Lecornu, despite his career in the reserves as a Colonel in the National Gendarmerie, has only held the position of Minister of Armed Forces since 2022. The depth of his roots in French military and strategic traditions, as evidenced throughoutthe book, helps to explainthe strong rapport he maintainswith the military establishment. 

Form: 

          As we’ve previously discussed the national context, it is important to note that this book also has its own political underpinnings. One such example is the renewed emphasis on the President’s position as “the sole commander ofthe armed forces,” a notion which is far from selfevident, as constitutional expertThibaud Mulier pointed outinLe Monde: "Ifthe title of'chief ofthe armed forces' isnot merely a ceremonial one, as Marine Le Pen suggested during the legislative campaign,the scope ofthe President’s role in defence largely depends on the nature of their relationship with the Prime Minister." Similarly, the assertion that the majority of the French political class is indifferent to military matters, with the exception of the centre parties, seems somewhat reductionist. Nevertheless, it is difficult to fault a serving minister for defending both his ownrecord and that of his politicalfamily. 

       Aside from these minor points, Minister Lecornu demonstrates a refreshing objectivity, allowing the reader to appreciate the content without concerns over political neutrality. Ultimately, Vers la guerre ? is a highly enjoyable read, fitting perfectly into the current political climate and offering significantinsightinto the state of France’s military and its future challenges.

Bibliography 

1.“La loi de Programmation Militaire sous la menace de renoncements”, Le Monde, Chloé Hoorman et Elise Vincent, 29/10/2024 ; 

2.”De la stratégie déclaratoire aux illusions incantatoires”, Revue DSI, Olivier Zajec, Numéro 173 de Septembre - Octobre ; 

3. ”La distribution des compétences entre le président et le premier ministre n’est pas figée dans le marbre, surtout pas le marbre constitutionnel”, Le Monde, Thibaud Mulier, 22/10/2024 ; 

4. ”Histoire militaire de la France”, Editions Perrin, Hervé Drévillon et Olivier Wieviorka, 2022 ; 

5. ”Les Présidents et la guerre”, Editions Perrin, Pierre Servent, 13 février 2017 ; 

6. ”Armée et Nation’, Hérodote, Numéro 416, 2005.