Public policy faces several current problems. One of them is migration management, both in the phase of the arrival of migrants and in the phase of integration of the second generation of migrants born to migrant parents in the original host country. The case of France shows that failure to manage this problem can result in a social war. The study examines the issue of the social war in France (2002-2023) as a clash between three actors: government elites, retired generals of the French armed forces and Islamic terrorist organizations. To explain processes related to social warfare, the AFA model (actors-frameworks-activities) is used. The desk research method and in-depth loosely structured interviews with French experts were used for the investigation. Embedded history and collective memory are identified as key factors in the emergence and dynamics of the social war. The study identifies key historical roots and actors of social war in France, highlighting the influence of collective memory and migration policy failures on societal polarization. Findings emphasize the need for improved integration strategies to prevent further conflicts, with implications for similar challenges in other EU countries. © 2025 Jan Eichler et al., published by Sciendo.