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

Towards a Prosperous Europe? A public discussion in collaboration with the Institut Montaigne

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
Towards a Prosperous Europe? A public discussion in collaboration with the Institut Montaigne

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
Towards a Prosperous Europe? A public discussion in collaboration with the Institut Montaigne

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

Event Recap

Sep 7, 2017

Towards a Prosperous Europe? A public discussion in collaboration with the Institut Montaigne

By Global Business & Economics Program

On September 7, 2017, the Atlantic Council’s EuroGrowth Initiative participated in a debate on how to stimulate economic growth in Europe, in collaboration with the Institut Montaigne. The event took place in Paris, France.

Economy & Business European Union

Defense Industrialist

Aug 30, 2017

An EU navy is impossible; Fortunately, it’s not necessary.

By James Hasik

To rebuild robust naval forces, Europeans should think less like Americans, and more like Russians. As I noted yesterday, Brexit has opened all sorts of talk about the future of British and European military activities. To continue the argument today, let’s tack towards naval matters. In “All the Queen’s Ships” (Proceedings of the US Naval Institute, January […]

Defense Industry European Union

UkraineAlert

Jul 17, 2017

Twelve Myths about Change in Ukraine

By Alexander J. Motyl

Most Ukrainians will tell you that “nothing has changed” since the Euromaidan Revolution. Meanwhile, most Ukrainian analysts bemoan that Ukraine’s elites are resisting change and that, unless Ukraine changes more quickly, the country will backtrack and be lost. And everyone seems to agree that no change is possible unless corruption is fully eliminated. These views […]

France Germany

New Atlanticist

Jul 13, 2017

An American in Paris

By Louis Golino

A friendship blossoms between Trump and Macron Press coverage of the first meeting between US President Donald J. Trump and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, at the NATO summit in Brussels in May focused on the spirited handshake Macron gave Trump.  But too much emphasis on the symbolism of Macron’s machismo overlooked the fact that […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2017

Emmanuel Macron and the Sense of Reality

By Nicholas Dungan

After the French presidential election completed its two rounds in late April and early May, France, Europe and many around the world breathed a sigh of relief that Emmanuel Macron’s victory had put a stop to the know-nothing populism evident in the Brexit referendum and the ascendancy of Donald J. Trump to the US presidency. […]

France

New Atlanticist

Jun 30, 2017

Macron’s Russia Reset

By Fabrice Pothier

Even before entering the Élysée Palace, Emmanuel Macron had largely earned his credentials as firm on Russia. Macron was the target of a Russia-sponsored smear campaign, which included personal attacks, during the presidential election earlier this year. That moment in the campaign is described by people working with Macron as a turning point. Where Macron […]

France Russia

In the News

Jun 29, 2017

Dungan Quoted in CNN on Trump’s Surprise Paris Visit

By Nicholas Dungan

Read the full article here.

France

New Atlanticist

Jun 19, 2017

Macron’s Putin Policy: ‘Firmness Without Provocation’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

French President Emmanuel Macron would like to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to seek mutually acceptable solutions to crises that have bedeviled ties between the West and Russia over the past few years, France’s ambassador to the United States, Gérard Araud, said in an Atlantic Council phone briefing on June 19. […]

France Russia

In the News

Jun 14, 2017

Åslund in Project Syndicate: A Magic Wand for France?

By Anders Aslund

Read the full article here.

France

In the News

Jun 12, 2017

Dungan Joins Bloomberg to Discuss a ‘New French Revolution’ Under Macron

By Nicholas Dungan

Watch the full interview here.

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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