Éric Denécé was one of the most unique and independent figures in the French analytical landscape. A former intelligence officer, doctor of political science, founder and director of the French Research Center on Intelligence (CF2R) since 2000, and author of twenty-nine books, he devoted forty years of his life to a mission he stated simply: to create a culture of intelligence within French society.
His background was atypical and rich. An analyst-officer at the General Secretariat for National Defense (SGDN) in the 1980s, he enlisted in Cambodia alongside the anti-communist resistance, then operated in Burma. He subsequently moved through the private sector — Matra Défense, DCI, GEOS, economic intelligence — before dedicating himself entirely to research and teaching. He created the first French university curriculum dedicated to intelligence studies at the University of Bordeaux-IV Montesquieu, and taught at ENA, the Joint Defense College, Sciences Po, and several European universities.
What distinguished him in the later years of his life was his refusal to submit to official narratives — on Ukraine, on Syria, on the role of American intelligence services in global politics. His analyses were unsettling; they earned him harsh criticism in the mainstream press and tensions within certain networks. His latest book, Ukraine: The American War (2025), offered a radically different reading of the conflict — and was published just weeks before his death.
He was found dead on June 9, 2025, in Serraval, Haute-Savoie, at the age of 62. His family categorically rejected the official suicide theory, pointing to his ongoing projects, his intact energy, and his relentless intellectual commitment. The exact circumstances remain to be established with certainty.
An independent think tank founded in 2000 — the "spies' think tank"
Founded in 2000 by Éric Denécé, the French Research Center on Intelligence (CF2R) established itself as the leading independent French institution dedicated to the study of intelligence, economic intelligence, and special operations. Bringing together around twenty researchers — many of them former service members — CF2R publishes reports, articles, books, and geopolitical analyses, organizes masterclasses, and offers professional training.
Denécé funded CF2R through his own risk management consulting firm, which advised the Ministry of Defense as well as CAC 40 companies on geopolitical risks. The journal Intelligence and Special Operations (created in 1985 by Éditions L'Harmattan), the "CF2R" collections at Ellipses, and the "Intelligence Culture" collection at Harmattan formed the editorial backbone of this ambitious intellectual project.
He also launched, with Frédéric Pierucci, a former Alstom executive imprisoned in the United States, the company Ikarian (2015) to help French companies resist the extraterritoriality of US law — a central issue in his analysis of global economic warfare.
1963
Born March 6, 1963, in Paris (15th arr.). Studies in geography and history of international relations.
1985
Creation of the journal "Intelligence and Special Operations" by Éditions L'Harmattan. Began his career as an analyst-officer at the SGDN (General Secretariat for National Defense).
1988
PhD in Political Science — Panthéon-Assas University. Thesis on maritime and political rivalries in Southeast Asia. Field missions: Cambodia (anti-communist resistance) and Burma (protecting Total's interests against local guerrillas).
1990s
Career in the private sector — export commercial engineer at Matra Défense, communications manager at NAVFCO / DCI, director of studies at CEPS, director of economic intelligence for the GEOS group. ARGOS consultancy (economic intelligence).
1996
1999
Creation of the "Intelligence Culture" collection at Éditions L'Harmattan. Preparation for the launch of CF2R.
2000
Founding of the French Research Center on Intelligence (CF2R). He led it for 25 years. CF2R became the leading independent French reference on intelligence.
2009
Winner of the Prix Akropolis (Institute for Advanced Studies in Internal Security / IHESI). Teaching positions at ENA, the Joint Defense College, HEG Geneva, and the University of Notre-Dame of Beirut.
2011
Habilitation to Supervise Research (HDR) — Toulouse-I-Capitole University, focused on intelligence. Launch of the "Poche Espionnage" (Pocket Espionage) collection at Éditions Ouest-France.
2015
Creation of the company Ikarian with Frédéric Pierucci (former Alstom) to help French companies face the extraterritoriality of US law. "Arcana Imperii" collection at VA Éditions (2017-2019).
2022–25
His analyses on Ukraine — challenging the dominant Western narrative — earned him press criticism and internal tensions at CF2R. He published his final book, "Ukraine: The American War", a few weeks before his death.
June 9, 2025
Death. Found dead in Serraval (Haute-Savoie), at 62. The official suicide theory is rejected by his family and closest relatives, who highlight his ongoing projects and intact energy. The exact circumstances remain to be established.
Works — Selection (29 books in total)
Éd. Ouest-France / L'Archipel
The Intelligence Services
A mainstream introduction to the organization and missions of global intelligence services. Deconstructs preconceived ideas about the work of agents. A benchmark educational book.
2014 · Tallandier
The Israeli Intelligence Services
Mossad, Aman, Shin Bet
With David Elkaïm. In-depth analysis of the organization, methods, and operations of the three pillars of Israeli intelligence.
With David Elkaïm
2023 · Éd. Ellipses
Intelligence and Espionage during the First World War
Volume 4 of the Global History of Intelligence — 576 pages, prefaced by Alain Juillet (former DGSE). 40 contributions from international specialists.
Preface: Alain Juillet · 576 pages
2024 · Éd. Ellipses
Intelligence and Espionage during the Second World War
Volume 5 of the Global History of Intelligence — prefaced by Bernard Squarcini (former DST/DCRI). 43 contributions from 32 authors of 6 nationalities.
Preface: Bernard Squarcini
2025 · Final Book
Ukraine: The American War
His final book, published weeks before his death. Offers a radically different reading of the Ukrainian conflict, documenting the role of the United States, NATO, and American intelligence in triggering and fueling the conflict.
Published in 2025 · His last book
8-volume series · Éd. Ellipses
Global History of Intelligence
A major editorial project directed by Denécé — an encyclopedic series covering all periods and all services. The first 5 volumes were published by Ellipses. A life's project.
Ongoing series · 5 volumes published
Videos — Analyses & Interviews
Tributes
A free voice extinguished abruptly — June 2025
"Éric Denécé was not just a simple analyst, but a scout at the heart of the darkness of French intelligence. Founder of CF2R, he helped lift the veil on the real stakes of economic and strategic intelligence, far from conventional narratives. His brutal death, under troubling circumstances, comes as a shock in geopolitical and intelligence circles." — Géopolitique Profonde.
"Éric struck the entire OMERTA editorial team with his immense kindness, his humility, his accessibility, which added to his obvious professional qualities of deep knowledge of the files, rigor, and clarity in analysis." — Omerta Média.
TV Libertés, Ligne Droite, Géopolitique Profonde, Profession Gendarme, Omerta, Le Diplomate, many colleagues and peers paid tribute to him. His family made it known from day one that they did not believe the suicide theory. While waiting for light to be shed on the exact circumstances of his death, his work — 29 books, hundreds of articles and reports, 25 years of CF2R — remains.
Non Possumus 