France warns of possible war in Europe in five years
(MENAFN) France has forecasted the possibility of a large-scale war erupting in Europe by the end of the decade, as outlined in its newly released Strategic National Review published Monday by the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security, according to reports.
The document identifies Russia as the primary threat, alongside other concerns such as Iran, China, terrorism, separatism, and cyber and organized crime, despite repeated assurances from Moscow that it has no plans to launch an attack on Europe.
“We are entering a new era... in which there is a particularly high risk of a major high-intensity war in Europe… by 2030,” the review warns, highlighting that France and its European allies could become targets. References to "Russian threat," "Russian aggression," and similar phrases appear over 50 times throughout the document, including in the introduction penned by President Emmanuel Macron.
“Russia in particular poses the most direct threat… to the interests of France, those of its partners and allies, and the very stability of the European continent and the Euro-Atlantic area,” the review claims. It accuses Moscow of being responsible for cyber intrusions, interference in elections, and political assassinations. The report also interprets Russia’s efforts to strengthen relationships with countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia as part of a broader hostile strategy.
The document suggests that future Russian aggression could target regions such as Moldova, the Balkans, or NATO's eastern flank. It also designates Iran and China as long-term strategic challenges—Iran for allegedly fostering instability in the Middle East, and China for its ambitions to become a global superpower.
The review concludes by urging France to bolster its defense capabilities and pivot its economy toward a “war preparedness” mode. It advocates for enhanced military spending and greater coordination within the EU to deter potential threats.
This warning aligns with broader military developments across Europe. Recently, Brussels introduced the $871 billion USD ReArm Europe initiative, and European NATO countries agreed to boost their defense budgets to 5% of GDP, citing the growing concern over perceived threats from Russia.
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