The study of national security decisionmaking is fraught with pitfalls. This statement holds true for any researcher, but all the more so for someone like this author, who has been actively engaged for many years in national security decisionmaking, at times at the highest levels. From the outset, I have been aware of the dangers of subjectivism, of injecting my own political attitudes and opinions, preconceived notions and biases into the material, the analyses and especially the conclusions and recommendations. I have endeavored, to the best of my ability, to undertake this research with the "disinterested curiosity" and objective neutrality which should be the hallmark of a good scientist and researcher. But no one can be totally disinterested in a process which has a direct bearing on his life and well-being; thus the only guarantee of the objectivity of such a work is the constant recognition and awareness of the danger of going astray, the advice and criticism of one's colleagues and, in the final analysis, one's own conscience.

The French White Paper on Defence and National Security sets forth a detailed roadmap for defending the nation’s territory and security interests in a globalised world. It also describes how France can contribute to a wider and more effective role for Europe on the international scene. Upon being elected President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy appointed a wide-ranging Commission to appraise France’s defence and security strategy. The resulting White Paper surveys today’s uncertain world and addresses key questions in the field of international security. It embraces European developments, the transatlantic partnership, the evolution of the United Nations and the changing position of the Western world and its relations with the Asian and African powers. It tackles key changes in French defence and security policy in the coming years, and the essential role of knowledge-based security and intelligence gathering, nuclear deterrence, the protection of citizens, as well as of French and European territory, and future operations abroad. The book considers questions that lie at the heart of modern military and political strategy. Issues dealt with include Jihadist-inspired terrorism, proliferation of ballistic missiles, preparing for massive cyber attacks, the future shapes of warfare, and the tools for building peace that globalisation affords. This White Paper will interest everyone concerned about international security and the role of citizens in contributing to their own security.

Mobilizing nature traces the environmental history of war and militarisation in France, from the creation of Châlons Camp in 1857 to military environmentalist policies in the twentieth century. It offers a fresh perspective on the well-known histories of the Franco-Prussian War, Western Front (1914-18), Second World War, Cold War and the anti-base campaign at Larzac, whilst uncovering the largely 'hidden' history of the numerous military bases and other installations that pepper the French countryside. Mobilising nature argues that the history of war and militarisation can only be fully understood if human and environmental histories are considered in tandem. Preparing for and conducting wars were only made possible through the active manipulation and mobilisation of topographies, climatic conditions, vegetation and animals. But the military has not monopolised the mobilisation of nature. Protesters against militarisation have consistently drawn on images of peaceful and productive civilian environments as the preferable alternative to destructive tanks and bombs. Written in an accessible style, Mobilizing nature will appeal to readers interested in modern France, environmental history, military geographies and histories, anti-military protests, and environmentalism.

How are the decisions made which produce the phenomenal arsenals of nuclear weapons in the world today? Who makes them? To whom are they answerable? What role does Parliament play? These questions have until now been shrouded in mystery. But until the answers to them are widely and openly known, those who are concerned about the build-up of nuclear arsenals cannot know how the process works, and to whom they should address themselves. That is why this book is a breakthrough. It explains, for the first time, how nuclear weapons decisions are made in each of the nuclear nations. The Oxford Research Group has brought together, entirely from non-classified sources, a mass of information to throw light on a hitherto invisible and unaccountable process.

With about 200,000 entries, StarBriefs Plus represents the most comprehensive and accurately validated collection of abbreviations, acronyms, contractions and symbols within astronomy, related space sciences and other related fields. As such, this invaluable reference source (and its companion volume, StarGuides Plus) should be on the reference shelf of every library, organization or individual with any interest in these areas. Besides astronomy and associated space sciences, related fields such as aeronautics, aeronomy, astronautics, atmospheric sciences, chemistry, communications, computer sciences, data processing, education, electronics, engineering, energetics, environment, geodesy, geophysics, information handling, management, mathematics, meteorology, optics, physics, remote sensing, and so on, are also covered when justified. Terms in common use and/or of general interest have also been included where appropriate.