Considering the recent exchange between our own Joe Comer and reader Robin on a nuclear response to a terrorist strike, I thought in would be valuable to blog on this

In Berlin, government spokesman Thomas Steg rejected the view that this was any change in French nuclear doctrine.

‘There is no doubt that France supports an agreed position in close accord with Britain and Germany in the EU-3 group,’ he said, and declined to interpret Chirac’s remarks as a veiled warning to Iran over its nuclear-research programme.

Of course, France has never hesitated over the ruthless use of its own military, even as they decry the actions of other nations (mostly the US).