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

Charai: Sahara: The New Order

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
Charai: Sahara: The New Order

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
Charai: Sahara: The New Order

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

In the News

Nov 12, 2015

Charai: Sahara: The New Order

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council Board Director Ahmed Charai writes for The Huffington Post on France’s role in the protracted political conflict in Western Sahara:

France North & West Africa

EconoGraphics

Nov 6, 2015

The Steady Rise of Europe’s Fringe

By Nico Catano

The past five years have forced the European Union to face significant challenges both internally and externally — from the recession to the ongoing migrant crisis.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

News

Oct 30, 2015

Aslund on French Attacks on Russian Media

By Anders Aslund

Dagens Naeringsliv quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Resident Senior Fellow Anders Aslund on France’s recent attacks on the Russian media:

France Russia
Soldier in the French Foreign Legion , Oct. 4, 2010

NATOSource

Oct 8, 2015

Letter from Strasbourg (Part Three): A French Defense Update

By Leo Michel

Insights from the 13th annual “summer defense college,” in Strasbourg.

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

NATOSource

Oct 7, 2015

Letter from Strasbourg (Part Two): French Doubts about European Defense

By Leo Michel

Insights from the 13th annual “summer defense college,” in Strasbourg.

European Union France
French Rafale jet, March 17, 2013

NATOSource

Oct 6, 2015

Letter from Strasbourg (Part One): French Defense Priorities and Capabilities

By Leo Michel

NATO is past the half-way mark between last September’s Wales Summit and the Warsaw Summit planned for next July. So it is not too soon to ask how Allies are responding to the strategic, capability, and other challenges identified in Wales.

France Iraq

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2015

Snapback: An Innovative Feature of the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Gérard Araud

Over the past two months, much has been said and written about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed with Iran on July 14. We are now drawing to the end of this phase, with the review of the agreement by the US Congress expected to come to its conclusion by September 17. During […]

France Iran

In the News

Sep 8, 2015

Kramer, Lightfoot, and Nordenman: Step Up to Support France

By Franklin Kramer, Jeff Lightfoot, and Magnus Nordenman

Brent Scowcroft Center Distinguished Fellow Franklin D. Kramer, Nonresident Senior Fellow Jeff Lightfoot, and Deputy Director Magnus Nordenman write for Defense News regarding France’s need for NATO support:

France NATO
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Palomeros, March 24, 2015

NATOSource

Aug 28, 2015

General Palomeros: NATO Troops Preparing for Maneuver Warfare

By Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One

NATO is preparing to hold its most complex military drills in decades — perhaps since the Cold War — as it readies allied troops for a range of hybrid combat scenarios that they might face in coming years.

France NATO

Defense Industrialist

Aug 20, 2015

Kasich wants carriers

By James Hasik

A fleet of fifteen Fords is infeasible, but smaller ships could be added fast. On Saturday, Newport News Shipbuilding will hold a keel-laying ceremony for USS John F. Kennedy, the second of the Gerald Ford-class carriers. Ohio Governor John Kasich is running for president, and he wants yet more aircraft carriers. About five more super-carriers, though […]

China Defense Industry
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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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