The disappearance of the threat to our frontiers has meant that national territory no longer seems to feature prominently as an issue in national security. How then to promote the spirit of defence and maintain the state's capability for resistance to enable it, if necessary, to withstand the unexpected? The author sketches out some possibilities, particularly in the less tangible areas of defence.
Where does 'national security' come from? The genesis of this extraordinarily ambiguous concept is largely unknown, besides what a few historical works have long established, i.e. that 'national security' is an offspring of the early Cold War, inspired by the experience of the Second World War and dictated by the confrontation with the Soviet Union, accompanying the integration of what was to be called the 'National Security State'. While not denying in any sense the importance of this turning point, this article intends to offer a new perspective by focusing on what is discretely happening a quarter of a century before, within the two modest military intelligence services, the Military Intelligence Division (MID) and the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI). There, based on the lessons drawn from the experience of 'modern war', a theoretical and practical break is carried out with four distinctions traditionally essential in military thinking: war and peace, military and civilian, front and rear, friend and foe. Our hypothesis is that this silent, but concrete and definite break paved the way to this form of governmental rationality which was to be referred to as 'national security'. Adapted from the source document.
At head of title: Genève, le 5 septembre 1924. ; "A.35(a).1924. IX." ; Series information from series t.p. ; Reprint from digitized document. ; Mode of access: Internet.
The author examines the disillusionment resulting from the realisation that Europeans have lost interest in their security and the lethargy of so-called European defence industries. Between a NATO that on the surface appears calm while failing to conceal its inevitable fate and an economic crisis that is mobilising European efforts to restore hopes for prosperity, there is little room for the prospects for security opened up by the Lisbon treaty.
Brazil's external policy is based on its desire to reinforce international standards and institutions. The consolidation of internal stability, the promotion of regional integration and the reform of its defence sector have all given the country a new international role. Brazil views its defence sector as a contribution to South American security and to the renovation of the structure of world governance.
