France

The United States’ oldest ally, France is a key strategic partner for Washington, not only in cooperating on transatlantic political and security issues but also in pursuing shared interests across the globe. France is pursuing economic reforms under President Emmanuel Macron, even as it faces social and political disruptions; meanwhile, recent elections point to the rise of the nationalist right wing. France remains a country to watch for the future of the European project as continues to play a leading role in the European Union and beyond.

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Macron has the power to change the EU’s Hezbollah policy

Dispatches Mar 4, 2026

What Macron’s changes to French nuclear policy mean for European security

By Jonathan Rosenstein and Emily Cheesman

The president’s plan, announced on March 2, expands France’s nuclear arsenal and deepens its cooperation on deterrence with European allies.
France Nuclear Deterrence
Macron has the power to change the EU’s Hezbollah policy

Report Nov 10, 2025

France’s policy on China: Strategic autonomy and less naïveté

By Zoltán Fehér

Over the last decade, France’s long-standing engagement with China has transformed into a more nuanced and cautious dynamic, reflecting a growing emphasis on balancing. This shift is guided by France’s pursuit of strategic autonomy, its effort to “de-risk” economic and security ties, and the broader geopolitical realities unfolding in the Indo-Pacific.
China Economy & Business
Macron has the power to change the EU’s Hezbollah policy

New Atlanticist Jul 16, 2025

Reading between the lines of the new France-UK nuclear entente

By Léonie Allard

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Kier Starmer released a “truly historic” declaration on nuclear planning on July 10.
France Nuclear Deterrence

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2020

Macron has the power to change the EU’s Hezbollah policy

By Jeremy Stern

Macron’s belief in France’s special responsibility to Lebanon is evident. If he wants to help the people suffering under Hezbollah there, Macron should follow the German example, and lead a ban of Hezbollah at home.

Conflict France

New Atlanticist

Jul 21, 2020

France must recognize its role in Libya’s plight

By Karim Mezran and Federica Saini Fasanotti

While Paris’s official policy in Libya has supported the United Nations-led negotiations over Libya and the Government of National Accord (GNA) that resulted from them, France’s real policy on the ground has been one of total and full support for Haftar’s forces.

Conflict France

UkraineAlert

Jun 2, 2020

Trump’s G7 invite for Putin will encourage more war

By Yuliia Popyk

US President Donald Trump wants to invite Vladimir Putin to the next G7 summit, despite the Russian leader's refusal to end the aggression against Ukraine that led to his initial suspension from G8 in 2014.

Conflict France

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2020

Partial Eurobond not the answer to Europe’s coronavirus economic downturn

By Bart Oosterveld

Some have argued that a partial Eurobond instrument, backed for example by France, Italy, and Spain, could be set up as a risk sharing and/or solidarity tool to partially finance the recovery out of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. This is a truly awful idea as such an instrument would deliver none of the potential benefits of a Eurobond, while simultaneously creating asymmetric risks on capital markets.

Coronavirus European Union

In the News

Apr 14, 2020

Dungan appears on Bloomberg to discuss France’s extended lockdown

On April 14, 2020, Nicholas Dungan spoke with Bloomberg’s David Westin on “Bloomberg: Balance of Power” about France’s extended lockdown.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Feb 14, 2020

France and Poland: Helicopters, forks, and reconnections

By Olivier-Rémy Bel

Macron's Poland visit makes political sense, but there is another pressing reason: as we enter an era of great power competition, the unity of Europe—and the unity of the transatlantic alliance—is a critical asset, which will be tested. Mending relations between East and West is part of the groundwork to bolster the political resilience of Europe.

France Poland

In the News

Jan 12, 2020

Yade joins Jury du Dimanche to discuss politics in France, Senegal, and the Sahel

By Atlantic Council

Africa Elections

In the News

Dec 11, 2019

Haddad in Foreign Policy: Emmanuel Macron’s New Strategy Is Disruption

By Atlantic Council

Europe & Eurasia France

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2019

What the United States can learn from Europe on fighting cyberattacks and disinformation

By John Burton

If you want to deal effectively with cyber challenges then you need to address not just the computer part…but the political part as well, the human being behind the attack,” said Jonatan Vseviov, the Estonian ambassador to the United States.

Disinformation European Union

UkraineAlert

Dec 3, 2019

Ukraine faces a decisive December in a rapidly deteriorating geopolitical climate

By Stephen Blank

With a NATO summit in London and long awaited peace talks in Paris, December is shaping up to be a decisive month for Ukraine, but the geopolitical climate is far from favorable and could deteriorate further.

Conflict France
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Experts

Fellow

Jérémie Gallon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business English

Fellow

Marie Jourdain

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Africa English

Fellow

Erwan Lagadec

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Jeffrey Lightfoot

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Leo Michel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Staff

Emma Nix

Assistant Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Eastern Europe
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