Podcast Episode
Rosa Balfour, Catherine Fieschi, and Cas Mudde discuss the rise and normalization of the radical right across Europe.
Rosa Balfour, Catherine Fieschi, Cas Mudde
Podcast Episode
Can France Be Europe’s Nuclear Deterrent?
Rym Momtaz, Sophia Besch, and Ulrich Kühn debate whether the update to France's nuclear doctrine adequately addresses Europe's deterrence gaps.
Published on Apr 22, 2026
Emmanuel Macron's updated French nuclear doctrine represents an unprecedented effort by Paris to coordinate with European partners as U.S. security commitments decline.
Rym Momtaz, Sophia Besch, and Ulrich Kühn discuss France's evolving role in European nuclear deterrence and the political and material credibility gaps that persist.
[00:00:00] Intro, [00:01:26] Macron’s Update to France’s Nuclear Doctrine, [00:09:13] The Role of the Baltics in Europe’s Defense, [00:22:47] European Alternatives to the U.S. Extended Deterrence.
Read More:
Rym Momtaz, April 7, 2026, “On NATO, Trump Should Embrace France Instead of Bashing It,” Strategic Europe, Carnegie Europe.
Rym Momtaz (ed.), March 12, 2026, “Taking the Pulse: Is France’s New Nuclear Doctrine Ambitious Enough?,” Strategic Europe, Carnegie Europe.
Ulrich Kühn, February 24, 2026, “The Unintended Consequences of German Deterrence,” Global Policy vol. 17, issue S1: 1-9, https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.70134.
Sophia Besch, Erik Brown, and Rafaela Uzan, December 22, 2025, “Rebalancing the Transatlantic Defense-Industrial Relationship: Regional Pragmatism in Northeastern Europe,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Sophia Besch and Jamie Kwong, December 11, 2025, “Unpacking Europe’s Deterrence Dilemmas,” Strategic Europe, Carnegie Europe.
Ulrich Kühn, May 1, 2025, “Is Europe Moving to an Independent Nuclear Deterrent?,” Arms Control Today, Arms Control Association.
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Europe Inside Out
- Europe Head-to-Head: Is the Radical Right a Threat to Europe?
- What Is Europe Sacrificing in the Iran War?Podcast Episode
Rym Momtaz, Pierre Vimont, and Maha Yahya discuss how the war on Iran is reshaping the Middle East and why Europe has sacrificed its influence in the region and the world.
Rym Momtaz, Pierre Vimont, Maha Yahya
- Europe Head-to-Head: Will Enlargement Make Europe Stronger?Podcast Episode
Rosa Balfour, Sylvie Goulard, and Gerald Knaus debate the security benefits and political challenges of further EU enlargement.
Rosa Balfour, Gerald Knaus, Sylvie Goulard
- Is 2026 a Turning Point for Armenia and Azerbaijan?Podcast Episode
Thomas de Waal, Zaur Shiriyev, and Areg Kochinyan examine recent shifts in Armenia–Azerbaijan relations and explore future trajectories in the South Caucasus.
Thomas de Waal, Zaur Shiriyev, Areg Kochinyan
- Europe Head-to-Head: Can Europe Ever Trust the United States Again?Podcast Episode
Rosa Balfour, Jan Techau, and Nathalie Tocci discuss how U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term is reshaping the transatlantic relationship.
Rosa Balfour, Jan Techau, Nathalie Tocci
