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

German Lawmaker: Europe Must Consider Own Nuclear Deterrence Capability

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

German Lawmaker: Europe Must Consider Own Nuclear Deterrence Capability

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

German Lawmaker: Europe Must Consider Own Nuclear Deterrence Capability

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

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

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Content

French nuclear ballistic missile submarine Téméraire

NATOSource

Nov 16, 2016

German Lawmaker: Europe Must Consider Own Nuclear Deterrence Capability

By Andrea Shalal, Reuters

Europe needs to think about developing its own nuclear deterrent strategy given concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could scale back U.S. military commitments in Europe, a senior member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives said.

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Nov 16, 2016

Former NATO Leaders to Trump: Don’t Make Bad Deals with Putin

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Anders Fogh Rasmussen warn against turning Ukraine into a ‘bargaining chip’ US President-elect Donald Trump must not strike any deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin that turn Ukraine into a “bargaining chip,” and must send a clear signal of commitment to the security of the United States’ NATO allies, two former […]

European Union France

Defense Industrialist

Nov 3, 2016

Technological disjunctures and the 21st century destroyer

By Danny Lam

The future of surface warfare requires cooperation across borders. Sea control in the twentieth century revolved around fleets based on battleships, then aircraft carriers. Lesser vessels like destroyers and frigates were for constabulary duty during peacetime, and during wartime, for assisting the main battle fleet in defeating opposing navies to restore control of seas. In […]

China Conflict

UkraineAlert

Oct 26, 2016

Don’t Expect Quick Resolution to Europe’s Only Active War

By Vera Zimmerman

The most disputed point about the Minsk agreements has been whether to hold local elections in the Donbas before Ukraine regains control of its border with Russia, or after. Ukraine has insisted that security and the return of the border should precede elections, while pro-Russian separatists and Moscow have been pushing for the opposite, as […]

France Germany
Two Russian TU-160 Blackjack bombers, Sept. 22, 2016

NATOSource

Oct 6, 2016

Jets From Four NATO Members Scramble As Russian Bombers Fly from Norway To Spain

By BBC

Two Russian Blackjack bombers were intercepted by fighter jets from four European countries as they flew from the direction of Norway to northern Spain and back, it has emerged.

France NATO
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, June 3, 2014

NATOSource

Sep 26, 2016

Europe’s Misguided Plan for a New Joint Military Headquarters

By Jorge Benitez, National Interest

The recent campaign by Juncker, Mogherini, and the governments of France and Germany for an EU military headquarters is a regrettable step in the wrong direction.

European Union France
President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, September 14, 2016

NATOSource

Sep 15, 2016

Juncker Calls For a Europe that Defends

By Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission

A Europe that protects is a Europe that defends – at home and abroad.

European Union France
Foreign Ministers Jean‑Marc Ayrault, Frank‑Walter Steinmeier, & Witold Waszczykowski, August 28, 2016

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2016

France, Germany, and Poland Call for a European Security Council

By Germany's Federal Office

We want to strengthen the European Union and the foundations of European integration by proving its ability to act….

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Aug 9, 2016

Was de Gaulle Right on Britain’s Role in Europe?

By Stanley Sloan

French President Charles de Gaulle in 1963 vetoed the British application to join the European Community (EC)—the precursor of today’s European Union (EU). The British decision to leave the EU in a so-called Brexit referendum would not have surprised the great de Gaulle at all. After many years of British refusal to consider membership in […]

European Union France
US Navy’s Sea Hunter unmanned vessel (photo: DARPA)

NATOSource

Aug 5, 2016

New Tech Makes Submarines Quieter, Western Navies Face ASW Gap

By The Economist

During war games played off the coast of Florida last year, a nuclear-powered French attack submarine, Saphir, eluded America’s sub-hunting aircraft and vessels with enough stealth to sink (fictitiously) a newly overhauled American aircraft-carrier, Theodore Roosevelt, and most of her escort.

China France
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Experts

Fellow

Didier Acouetey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Visiting Fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Fellow

Gérard Araud

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia France

Fellow

Jason Davidson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Fellow

William Drozdiak

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia France
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