Special issues

With Humphrey Bogart smoking cigarette after cigarette in Casablanca, cinema shaped the image of a man who was both disillusioned and mysterious. With Sean Connery, the quintessential James Bond, smoking in the hushed atmosphere of casinos and luxury hotels the world over, it elevated the cigarette to the status of a symbol of refinement, power and seduction. The cigarillo chewed by Clint Eastwood in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly fuelled the legend of the ruthless hero, whilst Audrey Hepburn’s long cigarette holder in Breakfast at Tiffany’s added a touch of glamour and sophistication. These are all images of a bygone era.

The idea for this Special Report arose from a conversation between friends. Philippe Couvrecelle and the author of these lines have shared a common interest in the Middle East for a very long time.

Euronaval, the oldest and biggest naval defense show in the world, has for more than fifty years been the key venue for discussing global strategic issues. During each edition, political, industrial and expert decision-makers exchange ideas on crucial subjects such as maritime security or technological sovereignty. It is also an opportunity to discover the latest trends developed by the worldwide industry in response to these challenges. This year, it made sense to join forces with the journal of reference, Politique Internationale, in order to deepen the strategic thinking that lies at the heart of our industry’s concerns.

Editorial initiatives are sometimes the fruit of conversations between friends. As is the case for this special Supplement published by Politique Internationale.