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.

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Chief of Staff of the French Air Force General Denis Mercier

NATOSource

Mar 24, 2015

NATO Announces French General Denis Mercier to be New Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

By NATO

The North Atlantic Council today, 23 March 2015, approved the nomination of General Denis Mercier, French Air Force, to the post of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.

France NATO
Gen. Martin Dempsey and Gen. Pierre de Villiers aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, March 8, 2015

NATOSource

Mar 9, 2015

For the First Time, France Puts Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle Under US Command

By Missy Ryan, Washington Post

When Gen. Martin Dempsey’s plane touched down Sunday on the deck of this ship, he became the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in recent history — perhaps ever — to set foot on a French aircraft carrier, a sign of the two nations’ increasing operational unity in the campaign against the Islamic […]

France Iraq
German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, Oct. 10, 2007

NATOSource

Feb 27, 2015

The DNA of German Foreign Policy

By Frank Walter Steinmeier, Project Syndicate

[I]t is abundantly clear from the Review that our partners expect a more active – and even more robust – German foreign policy in the future. Expectations are high – perhaps too high at times.

Europe & Eurasia France
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, UK PM David Cameron, & President Barack Obama, June 25, 2009

NATOSource

Feb 27, 2015

NATO Defense Spending Promises Largely Ignored

By Sam Jones, Financial Times

Only two of Nato’s six biggest defence spenders — the US and France — will fulfil a pledge to protect military budgets made at the alliance’s summit five months ago.

France Germany
French tank, July 14, 2012

NATOSource

Jan 30, 2015

France Sending Tanks To Poland

By Lorne Cook, AP

France is pledging tanks and armored vehicles to bolster NATO forces in Poland, where leaders are increasingly uneasy about Russia.

France NATO

In the News

Jan 28, 2015

Wilson on the Terrorist Attacks in Paris

By Damon Wilson

French language newspaper Le Figaro quotes Executive Vice President Damon Wilson on American reactions to the terrorist attacks in Paris:

France

In the News

Jan 16, 2015

Slavin on Charlie Hebdo Attack

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News to discuss the recent attacks in Paris on the newspaper Charlie Hebdo:

France

New Atlanticist

Jan 16, 2015

Dungan: Will Belgian, French Violence Tilt Europe’s Balance of Security and Liberties?

By New Atlanticist

Atlantic Council Analyst Says Debate on the Continent Is Revived Today’s arrests and gun-battles in Belgium, as police intervened to prevent what they said were Islamist terrorist attacks in the making, underscore that last week’s Islamist violence in Paris may signal what Atlantic Council analyst Barry Pavel then called “a new normal.”

France Western Europe

In the News

Jan 15, 2015

Joyner: Obama’s Paris Blunder: Part of a Much Bigger Problem

By James Joyner

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow James Joyner writes for the National Interest on President Obama’s decision to not attend the rally in Paris:

France

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2015

Yemen-Based Group’s Claim of Paris Attack May Boost Its Ability to Strike the West

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Al-Qaeda Affiliate Could Bolster Recruitment, Resources, Pavel Says The claim by al Qaeda’s franchise in Yemen that it was behind the terrorist attacks in Paris last week, if true, would boost the group’s ability to plan similar attacks in the West, according to Atlantic Council analyst Barry Pavel.

France Yemen

Experts