Modern societies have a complex, ambiguous relationship with the notion of risk. This paradoxical attitude, which affects armed forces’ thinking and actions, could call in question a characteristic of the profession of arms: intrinsically, the use of force by the military always entails an element of risk. The Armed Forces must accept the high level of risk involved in the defence of our interests and values if they are to lay claim to their place in French society. In an increasingly dangerous world, the acceptance of risk is not only a guarantee of operational effectiveness at the tactical level but is clearly a powerful lever for increasing France’s influence at the strategic level.