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Responsible Statecraft (21 July 2026)

Pavel DEVYATKIN NAMAN and Karl-Thomas HABTOM

Europe’s security fears are real and legitimate. But deploying nuclear-capable aircraft to Russia's doorstep is not the answer, and Washington's contradictions are making things worse.

On March 2, French President Emmanuel Macron announced major changes to France’s nuclear deterrence doctrine: an increase for the first time since 1992 in France's nuclear stockpile. France will also stop publishing the size of its nuclear stockpile altogether. This opacity makes verification and arms control dialogue functionally impossible.

Macron announced that France would adopt a policy of “forward deterrence,” which could include “the temporary deployment of elements of our strategic air forces to allied countries” and the involvement of allies in support of French nuclear forces. Nine European countries have already signed on.

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