Introducing France’s New Defence & National Security Policy

Following the publication in mid-June of the French Defence and National Security White Paper, Jean-Claude Mallet - Chairman of the Commission Nationale du Livre Blanc - came to address the Institute on the priorities and challenges France has identified for the forthcoming years.

The lecture was a most timely opportunity in view of explaining the strategy behind the new French White Paper, as well as the reform agenda it supports concerning France's National Security Strategy.

Counsellor of State Jean-Claude Mallet is a high level civil servant in the French government. Mr Mallet was responsible for chairing the working group in charge of drafting the new French White Paper, and has served an extensive and distinguished carrier within the various security and defence departments of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Interior and Defence Ministries.

Director in charge of Strategic Affairs at the Ministry of Defence between 1992 and 1998, he served as rapporteur to the Commission in charge of the writing the 1994 White Paper, and Secretary to the Committee overseeing defence reforms in 1995. Secretary General for National Defence between 1998 and 2004, he has been President of the administrative council of the Ecole Normale Supérieure since February 2006.