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David Lisnard believes that the SCAF and MGCS programs, launched in 2017 by Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel to develop the future combat aircraft and tank, are strategic and industrial dead ends. He criticized French leaders for prioritizing Franco-German cooperation without first verifying the convergence of military interests, technological mastery, and the distribution of industrial responsibilities. According to him, a high-level Franco-German seminar held on October 7 would have revealed a different method: starting from the needs of the armed forces and industrial interests, then allowing companies to build viable cooperations before giving them, if necessary, a political translation. Lisnard stated that during the negotiations on the MGCS, Germany was preparing for the succession of the Leopard 2, notably with the Leopard 3 project, and that the delay created a military vulnerability. He called for a break with a conception of European defense that, according to him, confuses cooperation with the dilution of sovereignties. He advocated for a distribution of roles in which the political power sets ambitions and means, the armed forces define their needs, and the industries develop solutions and partnerships. Lisnard also urged for the immediate preparation of the renewal of French ground combat capabilities, beyond the simple replacement of the Leclerc, notably by integrating armored vehicles, drones, robotics, artificial intelligence, and data management. He estimated that this required investments in industry, a recovery of public finances, and a more efficient use of military credits. Finally, he accused the current government of having caused France to lose valuable years and argued that the issue concerned its ability to prepare for future conflicts, ensure the security of the French people, and defend the nation. #Défense #Souveraineté #Coopération (translated)

Simon Moos wrote that on October 8, 2023, often forgotten according to him, the Lebanese Hezbollah had opened hostilities against Israel. He indicated that 52 Israeli civilians had been killed and tens of thousands of people had been displaced. He added that since then, European chancelleries have reproached Israel for defending itself in Lebanon. #Israël #Liban #conflit (translated)

Despite a storm of interest rates in the financial markets, European stock exchanges are recording gains fueled by the record performance of the Nasdaq on Wall Street, although the company Aperam is experiencing a significant drop in its shares due to particularly weak stainless steel demand in Europe. (translated)

Régis de Castelnau wrote that the Socialist Party's primary and social democracy gave him a certain pleasure, notably because he believed that Ségolène Royal was methodically going after Raphaël Glucksmann. He accused the latter of having been placed at the head of the socialist list for the European elections in 2018 on orders from the CIA, which he presented as his employer, and claimed that this decision aimed to make him Emmanuel Macron's successor. He also described Macron's rise to the presidency as a coup d'état organized with the help of the "Attali gang." De Castelnau deemed Glucksmann incompetent and believed that the conditions of 2017 were no longer in place to reproduce the same scenario. He predicted that PS officials would manipulate the primary to make Glucksmann win, while asserting that he would not go far. He also accused Glucksmann of making the Georgian people suffer. #Politique #PartiSocialiste #SocialDémocratie (translated)

Guillaume Champeau believed that she was right in substance and wondered why the Socialist Party was giving such a platform to someone outside the party. He added that the situation had already been surprising during the European elections and that now there was a question of a presidential election without a socialist candidate. #Politique #PartiSocialiste #Élections (translated)

The World Islamic League stated that the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had organized a round table the day before at the Egmont Palace in Brussels with Sheikh Mohammed Alissa, Secretary General and President of the Organization of Muslim Scholars. The dialogue focused on the importance of dialogue in a changing world. According to the League, ministerial and parliamentary figures, representatives of European governments, religious leaders, international organizations and universities, as well as civil society experts participated. The League added that the discussions covered topics related to international developments within its areas of interest and mission. It also stated that Sheikh Alissa had met with the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot, who welcomed him at the palace. Mr. Prévot had handed him a letter of welcome from the Prime Minister, who was absent from Brussels during the visit, according to the League. #Dialogue #CoopérationInternationale #Bruxelles (translated)