PDSF 2026: Alice Rufo inaugurates the third edition of the Strategy Forum in Paris

The third edition of the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF) opened yesterday in Paris, at the prestigious setting of the École militaire. The event, which will conclude on March 26, is confirmed as an essential appointment for the global strategic landscape, bringing together over 5,000 participants in person and an estimated digital audience of 25,000 users this year.

The opening was led by Alice Rufo, Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans, accompanied by the Danish ambassador to France, Hanne Fugl Eskjær. The choice of Denmark as the guest of honor highlights Copenhagen's profound strategic reorientation in the face of the return of war in Europe.

The tribute to Major Frion: thinking about war in the real world

The opening of the works in the Foch amphitheater was marked by a moment of deep emotion. Alice Rufo wanted to pay tribute to Major Arnaud Frion, who fell for France. A gesture not only formal but aimed at reminding that strategic reflection is not an abstract exercise:

"Thinking about war is a necessity in the face of a harsher and more dangerous strategic environment", declared the Minister, emphasizing the importance of the role of the ACADEM (Académie de défense de l’École militaire) in creating a bridge between civil society, academia, and the military world.

The 5 pillars of modern conflict

In her speech, Alice Rufo outlined a clear analysis of current global dynamics, identifying five critical trends that are redefining contemporary conflicts:

1. Erosion of international law: an increasingly contested and bypassed global order.
2. Conflicts below the nuclear threshold: the intensification of high-intensity clashes, with Ukraine as the main example, but with growing hotspots in the Middle East and Asia.
3. New domains of confrontation: the extension of war to previously unconventional spaces.
4. Technological acceleration: innovation as the primary driver of warfare transformation.
5. Social resilience: the ability of civil societies to withstand and adapt to conflicts.

The French response: Sovereignty and Alliances

The Minister then outlined France's strategy to navigate this turbulent scenario, based on three complementary pillars:

• Sovereignty and Deterrence: Sovereignty was defined as the ability to decide independently without being constrained. At the center of this stance remains nuclear deterrence, albeit integrated into a coherent European vision.
• Alliances without vassalage: "A vassal is not an ally", warned Rufo, reaffirming France's commitment to NATO and the Eastern flank, while reiterating that Europe must take on greater responsibilities produced by increased industrial production and technological investments.
• Credible partnerships: France focuses on maximum operational reliability ("we say what we do and we do what we say"), from the Indo-Pacific to the Arctic, to constant support for Ukraine.

An indispensable cooperation

In line with the French position, Danish ambassador Hanne Fugl Eskjær reiterated the urgency of collective and coordinated cooperation. In a world where threats are interconnected, the response can only be choral and lasting.

The PDSF 2026 now enters the heart of its technical panels. As Alice Rufo reminded in closing: "Being able to think about tomorrow's war means being able to face it and prevent it".