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The next White Book on French Defense Policy is a difficult work in progress. The international climate is badly deteriorated. We must push for rationalization and Europeanization of our army model so as to limit physical and financial constraints. On a political but also military level, the ESDP bears a brighter future than that of the alignment to NATO. The preservation of expenditure reserved for nuclear arms, space, antiballistic missiles and antimissile capacities will ask for pertinent arbitration. Investment is necessary in these areas and will structure European strategic autonomy.Louis Gautier teaches political science (University Lyon III) and was Advisor on defense for former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. He is national delegate for strategic issues (Parti Socialiste). He recently published Face à la guerre (Paris, La Table Ronde, 2006).