SETTING THE TONE

摘要

The 2013 French defence White Paper presents a strategic analysis and capability assessment that address the pressing concerns posed by austerity cuts to defence budgets, instability in Europe's neighbourhood, and US rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific. It proposes ways in which France - and Europe - can remain strategically relevant in this changing environment. In doing so, argues Luis Simon, the White Paper provides a useful blueprint for the European Council meeting in December 2013.