France

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

Will France’s Mistral Warships Make Russia a Naval Threat?

Dispatches
Sep 17, 2026

Macron won the argument over European strategic autonomy. Will better European defense come of it?

By
Aurélie Vittot

Delivering real capabilities is where this vision of strategic autonomy will succeed or fail.

Defense Policy
Europe & Eurasia

Will France’s Mistral Warships Make Russia a Naval Threat?

Dispatches
May 15, 2026

The UK faces a dilemma over potential troop deployments to Ukraine. France can help.

By
Julia Salabert, Jason C. Moyer

France is currently punching below its weight in the Baltic area and could shoulder more of the burden.

France
NATO

Will France’s Mistral Warships Make Russia a Naval Threat?

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

Program

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

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Content

Mistral class warship off Lebanon, March 17, 2012

NATOSource

Jul 14, 2014

Will France’s Mistral Warships Make Russia a Naval Threat?

By Matthew Bodner, Moscow Times

With the first of two French-built Mistral class amphibious assault carriers set to be delivered to the Russian Navy in October, France is handing Russia the keys to one of the world’s most advanced warships

France NATO
Mistral class ship under construction, St. Nazaire

NATOSource

Jul 2, 2014

NATO Should Buy French-built Warships

By Eliot Engel, World Affairs

[L]ast month I wrote to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, urging a plan by which the alliance would collectively purchase or lease the warships as a common naval asset.

France NATO
About a dozen of NATO's 28 members reluctant to see Georgia join alliance

NATOSource

Jun 24, 2014

NATO Unlikely to Grant Georgia Step to Membership-Diplomats

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

NATO countries, wary of antagonising Russia, are unlikely to grant former Soviet republic Georgia a formal step towards membership of the alliance at a summit in September, NATO diplomats say.

France Germany
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk

NATOSource

Jun 17, 2014

Putin Has Exposed Divisions in Europe

By Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal

To the east Russia is on the march. After a spike in violence over the weekend in eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin on Monday cut gas exports to the country, using an economic cudgel to go with the military one.

Central Europe France
President Barack Obama in Normany, June 6, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 6, 2014

Obama Honors D-Day Sacrifice: Normandy is ‘Democracy’s Beachhead’

By Barack Obama, Washington Post

Just last week, I received a letter from a French citizen. “Dear Mr. President and the American people,” he wrote, “we are honored to welcome you to thank you again for all the pain and efforts of the American people and others in our common struggle for freedom.”

France United States and Canada

In the News

Jun 5, 2014

Workman on Impact of US Investigations into French Bank BNP Paribas

By Garrett Workman

The Associated Press quotes Global Business and Economics Program Associate Director Garrett Workman on the political and economic fallout from US investigations into transactions the French bank BNP Paribas may have conducted with clients in Iran, Sudan, and Cuba:

France
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel after meeting of NATO defense ministers, June 4, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 4, 2014

Hagel Escalates Obama’s Warning to Allies: US Support for NATO Could Be at Risk

By James G. Neuger and Gopal Ratnam, Bloomberg News

NATO defense ministers struggled to find a response to Russia’s Ukraine incursion, hemmed in by financial constraints, U.S. demands that Europe raise defense spending and a desire not to provoke the Kremlin.

Europe & Eurasia France

In the News

Jun 3, 2014

Workman on Transatlantic Trade Talks

By Garret Workman

Financial Times quotes Global Business and Economics Program Associate Director Garrett Workman on what consequences a United States fine on France’s biggest bank might have on the transatlantic trade and partnership talks: 

Economy & Business France
French Mistral, Tonnerre (L9014)

NATOSource

May 30, 2014

France Might Withhold 2nd Mistral Ship From Russia

By Pierre Tran, Defense News

French defense officials are exploring ideas to avoid delivering a second helicopter carrier to Russia, including looking for an alternative client for the Sevastopol, analysts and an industry executive said.

France Russia
Congressman Eliot L. Engel

NATOSource

May 30, 2014

Congressional Leaders Urge NATO to Purchase French Warships Intended for Russia

By Eliot L. Engel, Michael Turner, and William R. Keating

Text of letter to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen from US lawmakers.

France NATO
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Experts

Fellow

Aurélie Vittot

Visiting fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Rama Yade

Senior Director, Africa Center

Africa Center Europe Center

Civil Society Human Rights