France’s Army Chief of Staff, General Pierre Schill, said that Russia’s assault on Ukraine and the United States’ reliance on economic power to achieve its aims mark the collapse of a global system once grounded in sovereignty and diplomacy. According to Schill, these developments reveal the re-emergence of empires as dominant players on the world stage.
Speaking at a recent event in Paris to launch his first book, Le sens du Commandement (“The Meaning of Command”), Schill described the present moment as a historical turning point—potentially as significant as the end of the Cold War and perhaps even comparable to the upheavals of World War I.
“In the face of empires, one becomes either an adversary or a subordinate,” he warned, adding that the pressing challenge for France and Europe is determining “how we can shape our future without becoming subordinate in this emerging world order.”
Schill emphasized that Europe’s power lies in unity, particularly through collective defense structures such as the European Union and NATO, both of which enshrine mutual protection commitments. For France, this interconnectedness is both a “strength and a tragedy,” he said, since it could be drawn into a large-scale conflict even without an immediate threat on its borders.
Reflecting on current global tensions, Schill likened the war in Ukraine to a transformative event similar to World War I—a conflict that unfolded alongside a sweeping industrial revolution. At the start of that war, technologies like electricity, oil, aviation, and automobiles were in their infancy, yet by the end, they had evolved dramatically as the warring powers poured massive resources into innovation.
“Perhaps we are witnessing a comparable moment today,” Schill observed, “with the rise of digital technology, drones, satellite-based warfare, and automation—all converging in this immense conflict unfolding in Eastern Europe.”
Looking ahead, Schill predicted that future wars will likely be “larger, harsher, and more logistics-driven,” stressing the need for the French Army to restructure and enhance its long-range artillery capabilities. He also raised questions about reintroducing conscription and boosting the nation’s reserve forces.
He argued that adaptability will be a decisive factor in maintaining power in this evolving era. “The modern and future battlefield will demand continuous adaptation,” he said. “We must cultivate an innovation mindset—not just in technology but also in tactics.”
Schill advocated for a “command by intent” approach, which sets clear goals while giving junior leaders freedom to act. This model, he said, fits both the unpredictable nature of modern warfare and the aspirations of younger soldiers seeking purpose and autonomy.
“Command rooted in meaning, clear objectives, and subsidiarity provides the right framework to meet the challenges of our complex times,” he explained.
While France’s military tradition has long valued concise orders that allow for initiative, Schill noted a drift toward more rigid, detail-heavy command methods. He attributed this shift to factors like the rise of artificial intelligence in command systems, greater international cooperation, and the influence of the precautionary principle in decision-making.
He illustrated his point with two historical contrasts. The 1950 retreat from Cao Bang in Indochina, he said, showed the perils of rigid planning—when strict adherence to a “perfect” plan led to disaster and the loss of roughly 3,700 troops. In contrast, General Philippe Leclerc’s 1944 liberation of Paris succeeded with only a half-page of orders that prioritized objectives over detailed instructions.
“In such a complex world,” Schill concluded, “preserving the ability to take initiative at lower levels is vital—because that’s where true effectiveness lies.”
