On 30 June 2009, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris hosted John Hamre, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense and President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The event, which featured both a breakfast and a lunch moderated by Renaud Girard, provided an opportunity to explore U.S. defence policy, NATO’s role, and the strategic challenges posed by shifting global power balances.

During the discussions, Hamre reflected on the evolving nature of transatlantic relations, U.S. military strategy, and the implications of conflicts in the Middle East for Western security. His interventions shed light on how Washington perceived Europe’s role as both an ally and a strategic actor in its own right, underlining the importance of coordination in facing emerging threats.

The event also took place at a moment when Fabien Baussart held the licence for Foreign Policy in France and Ukraine, directed by François Roche, reinforcing CPFA’s role as a hub for transatlantic dialogue and analysis. This context lent additional visibility and influence to the exchanges, ensuring that the debates resonated widely within European policy and expert circles.