What Are the Prospects for Cooperation Between Turkey and the European Union in the Defense Industry?

Turkey, with a military-industrial complex now 80% self-sufficient, has become an essential partner for Europe, which seeks to diversify its suppliers. This article explores the challenges and opportunities of cooperation between Ankara and the EU, despite political divergences and Turkey’s alignment on certain issues (NATO, relations with Russia). Excluded from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russian S-400 systems, Turkey has developed partnerships with European countries (UK, Spain, Italy) while remaining a major client for European defense industries.

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The Shock of Reality in the Gulf: The Exhaustion of the Transatlantic Model and the Cost of American Unilateralism

Washington’s transactional unilateralism under the Trump administration is undermining transatlantic alliances and turning partners into tactical variables. The article analyzes how U.S. decisions (such as suspending participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defence or using General License 134 to bypass sanctions against Russia) are creating tensions with Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Technological dependence (via the JADC2 system) and institutional lock-in (via Foreign Military Sales) limit the strategic autonomy of allies, pushing Europe to rethink its industrial and digital sovereignty.

 

How the Future Demobilization of Russian and Ukrainian Fighters Could Generate a New Wave of Mercenaries in Africa

The end of the war in Ukraine could release hundreds of thousands of soldiers, risking the formation of new mercenaries, particularly in Africa. The article explores the challenges of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process for Russia and Ukraine, where limited state capacities and the trauma of combatants could foster the emergence of Private Military Companies (PMCs). Russia, with its experience with groups like Wagner (now Africa Corps), and Ukraine, which is considering legalizing PMCs to absorb its veterans, could export this military workforce to conflict zones in Africa, where demand for mercenaries is rising.

 

How Do Wars End? Securitization and the Problem of Victory and Defeat

The article addresses the issue of how wars end and the challenges related to securitization, i.e., how states manage the transition from conflict to peace. It likely explores the stakes of defining victory and defeat, as well as the political, social, and strategic consequences of these processes on post-conflict stability.

 

Restarting the German Economy: Between Economic, Social, and Defense Imperatives

Germany, faced with a shaken economic model (deindustrialization, competition from China and the U.S.), must reconcile economic, social, and defense imperatives. The government of Friedrich Merz, in a coalition with the Social Democrats, is attempting to revitalize the country through special funds for infrastructure and climate neutrality, while strengthening military capabilities. The article analyzes the difficult trade-offs between competitiveness, social cohesion, and security, in a context where Germany is pulled between national and European expectations.

 

The Fury from the Sky: Strategic Analysis of the Aerial Campaign Against Iran

The Roaring Lion and Epic Fury operations, conducted by Israel and the United States against Iran starting February 28, 2026, marked a test of integral air power (the ability to overthrow an adversary through airstrikes alone). Although the campaign failed to achieve its central political objective (regime change), it demonstrated an unprecedented mastery of air power across multiple lines of operation. The article analyzes the lessons from this campaign, including the limits of complete air superiority against Iran’s mosaic defense, and the implications for European air forces facing similar challenges against Russia.

 

A Third Option for Canadian Defence SMEs After the Permanent Joint Board on Defence Pause

The U.S. suspension of its participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defence (PJBD) in May 2026 revealed the vulnerability of Canadian defense SMEs, which are dependent on American contracts. The article proposes a paired-entity model: a Canadian company and an American firm form separate entities, each leading bids in their respective countries, with firewalls to protect intellectual property, data residency, and export controls. This model would allow Canadian SMEs to reduce their dependence while still accessing the U.S. market.

 

Adapt or Adopt? Canada, Sweden, and Whole-of-Society Defence

The strategic partnership between Canada and Sweden aims to strengthen whole-of-society defense, a concept that integrates civilian actors (local governments, private sector, civil society) into resilience and deterrence. The article highlights that Canada, unlike Sweden, has no tradition of total defense and must adapt this model to its realities (federalism, political culture, threat perception). Challenges include inter-organizational collaboration, public engagement, and democratic legitimacy.

 

What Will Be the Limits of Military AI?

This episode of Le Collimateur explores the state of military AI, the power dynamics between the major companies developing it and states, and the challenges of its regulation. The speakers analyze the geopolitical, ethical, and strategic issues related to the integration of AI into defense systems, particularly in terms of technological sovereignty, accountability, and control of autonomous weapons.

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