The reality of today’s conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon faces us with the need to think about the structure of our forces. In France and in Western armed forces, the plans inherited from the Cold War, and pressure from NATO, have led us towards more compact structures for our forces, equipped above all for the higher end of the operational spectrum–with top-heavy command structures and lacking troops on the ground. What is the right balance between the fighting forces and the headquarters staffs–the teeth and the tail? What priorities should be given to equipments? The forces must have a greater capacity for light, mobile intervention while maintaining a powerful, if reduced, nucleus.