An unprecedented combination of threats had forced Macron to conceive of nuclear deterrence “within the depth of the European Continent”. This is not a radical change in French doctrine, defence expert Jean-Dominique Merchet writes in the spring edition of the intellectual review Commentaire. Minister for Defence Helen McEntee made the only remark by an Irish official regarding Macron’s “forward defence” at the Munich Security Conference last month. Setting aside the thorny question of whether nuclear protection would make Ireland more secure, Irish involvement in nuclear discussions would be politically radioactive. That observation could be the point of departure for a major address explaining what Ireland’s role in the defence of Europe should be.

Source: The Irish Times March 27, 2026 15:01 UTC