France’s Strategic Posture: An Interview with Hubert Védrine

Part I: Series Introduction
Part II: NATO Reintegration and European Defense
Part III: A Widening Focus
Part IV: The Temptation of a Forward Defense

Hubert Védrine was a diplomatic advisor and chief of staff to French President François Mitterand, and went on to serve as France's foreign minister in the government of Prime Minister Lionel Jospin (1997-2002). He is the author of numerous books and articles on foreign policy and globalization, and leads a seminar on international relations at the Paris Institute of Political Science (Sciences Po). Over the course of a generous and wide-ranging interview, he offered World Politics Review his analysis of Nicolas Sarkozy's foreign policy, the nature of the emerging world order, and France's place in it. Here it is in its entirety as the final installment of this week's series on France's strategic posture review.

World Politics Review: How do you see the strategic landscape and horizon for France, in terms of the priorities, threats and stakes that this moment of reflection must respond to?