At the end of the Cold War, 'Europe was convinced that it was going to remain at peace forever'

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to announce a new version of France's Universal National Service (SNU), invoking "moral forces" needed to face "rising threats" across the globe. For in-depth analysis on what form this new kind of military service could take, Annette Young welcomes Hélène Conway-Mouret, Senator and Vice-Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces Committee. The long-term objective, as explained by Senator Conway-Mouret, is to "draw all the lessons from the war in Ukraine: raising the consciousness of the whole of France" to be fully ready for an eventual conflict. "We see an entire population backing up the (Ukrainian) army... and fighting, resisting one of the biggest armies and the biggest country in the world."