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
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.
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.
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.
