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

Ullman: One Archduke, Twenty Children, and Twelve Journalists

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

Ullman: One Archduke, Twenty Children, and Twelve Journalists

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

Ullman: One Archduke, Twenty Children, and Twelve Journalists

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

Jan 14, 2015

Ullman: One Archduke, Twenty Children, and Twelve Journalists

By Harlan Ullman

Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Adviser Harlan Ullman writes for UPI on the aftermath of the attacks in Paris on the newspaper Charlie Hebdo: 

France

Article

Jan 14, 2015

Opinion: Some Exploiting France’s Tragedy

By Barbara Slavin

In the aftermath of last week’s tragic events in France, the world has witnessed great demonstrations of solidarity. Judging from the more than one million people who gathered in Paris – and others in smaller rallies in Europe and in Washington, D.C. — the murder of 17 journalists, police and shoppers in a Jewish market […]

France

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2015

France Is Not Disturbed by ‘Storm in a D.C. Teacup,’ Dungan Says

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Charlie Hebdo Features Muhammad Cartoon in New Issue French officials on Tuesday hunted for the accomplices of three terrorists who killed 16 people in Paris last week, while some of the victims of the attacks were laid to rest at tearful funerals. In Washington, however, the controversy over the Obama administration’s decision not to send […]

France

In the News

Jan 13, 2015

Pham on Terrorism in France and Nigeria

By J. Peter Pham

CNN quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on terrorism in France and Nigeria: 

France Nigeria

In the News

Jan 13, 2015

Dungan on Charlie Hebdo Attack in Paris

By Nicholas Dungan

The Huffington Post quotes Transatlantic Relations Program Nonresident Senior Fellow Nicholas Dungan on the terrorist attack in Paris on the office of the newspaper of Charlie Hebdo:

France

In the News

Jan 12, 2015

Dungan on the “Storm in a DC Tea Cup”

By Nicholas Dungan

CNN quotes Transatlantic Relations Program Nonresident Senior Fellow Nicholas Dungan on the United States not sending a high-ranking official to an anti-terror march in Paris sparked by the recent attack on the office of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo:

France

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2015

For France, ‘Solidarité’ Against Terror

By Nicholas Dungan

French Response to Islamist Violence Reflects Political Values and a Sense of National Mission France’s people and leaders have shown a unity and dignity following last week’s terrorist attacks that honor the country’s political culture of tolerance and reaffirm its success in confronting terrorism. France thus constitutes a valuable role model for other democracies and […]

France

In the News

Jan 8, 2015

Dungan on the Deadly Paris Attack

By Nicholas Dungan

Bloomberg Businessweek quotes Transatlantic Relations Program Nonresident Senior Fellow Nicholas Dungan on the terrorist attack in Paris on the office of the newspaper of Charlie Hebdo:

France

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2015

France Responds to Paris Attack by Stressing ‘Fraternité’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Restrained Popular Reaction Will Reduce Gains for Extremists, Says Nicholas Dungan A restrained response by France’s political mainstream to yesterday’s killings in Paris—peaceful street vigils and the ringing of church bells—may reduce the risk of an anti-foreigner backlash, says Atlantic Council analyst Nicholas Dungan. That in turn will limit the assault’s impact in strengthening radicals […]

Europe & Eurasia France

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2015

The Killings in Paris: A Shocking ‘New Normal’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Only Deep Changes in Middle East Will End the New Strain of Terrorism, Atlantic Council’s Pavel Says The killing by masked gunmen of at least a dozen journalists and others in Paris is an “unfortunate new normal” in an era marked by Islamist extremism’s Generation 3.0—a strain more virulent than that of al Qaeda, according to […]

France Middle East
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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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