59 h. ago French military service: 11 things you need to know about Emmanuel Macron's army plans

French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined plans for France to introduce military service in a bid to counter the growing threat posed by Vladimir Putin to Europe

Events

3 d. ago France announces voluntary national service with 10,000 target as Russia threat grows

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a voluntary national service programme starting next summer, as Europe seeks to strengthen its military in the face of the growing Russian threat

Events

3 d. ago France to introduce voluntary military service amid threat from Russia

Macron says plan to introduce 10 months’ service among 18- and 19-year-olds will help France respond to ‘accelerating threats’Europe live – latest updatesFrance is to introduce voluntary military service of 10 months aimed mainly at young people aged 18 and 19, as concern grows in Europe about the threat from Russia.In a speech to troops in Varces-Allières-et-Risset in the French Alps, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, said the service would begin by mid-2026 and would help France respond to “accelerating threats” on the global stage. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago As France prepares military expansion, how is Europe beefing up its armies?

European nations are rushing to bolster their defences amid Russia threat and uncertainty of US supportFrance will this week become the latest EU country to set out plans to expand its army, with Emmanuel Macron expected to announce on Thursday that military service will be restored – albeit on a voluntary basis – nearly 30 years after the end of conscription.In the face of Russia’s military threat and uncertainty over the US’s commitment to defending its transatlantic allies, Europe is rushing to bolster its defence industry and its deployment capability after radically cutting them back since the cold war. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago US strikes against boats in Caribbean ‘disregard international law’, French minister says

G7 foreign ministers questioned Marco Rubio about the attacks on what the Trump administration claims are drug smugglersStakes rise as Trump deploys world’s largest aircraft carrier to the CaribbeanIs US preparing to attack Venezuela and how has Maduro regime responded?The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, is facing questions from his fellow G7 foreign ministers about the legality of the US strikes in the Caribbean on ships it says it suspects of carrying drugs.The French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, criticised the military operations, saying they could contribute to instability in the region, but his suggestion that the attacks were unlawful was also a rare criticism of the Trump administration. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Camouflage clothing may be having a moment – but in our violent world, is that wise? | Ellie Violet Bramley

Some say it’s just ‘a stylish alternative to denim’, but the politics of who gets to wear military-adjacent garb is increasingly fraughtOn a recent visit to Gaza, Steve Witkoff, the real estate mogul and Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, wore a “camouflage” top. I write “camouflage” in inverted commas because it was blue and, amid the dusty devastation of Gaza, there was nothing about it – or the bumbag he wore with it – that helped Witkoff blend in.It’s an odd paradox that a pattern designed to melt military personnel into their surroundings – the word is derived from the French camoufler, “to disguise” – when worn by certain people, in certain ways, does the opposite. Witkoff being a glaring example.Ellie Violet Bramley is a freelance writer Continue reading...

Politics