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

The EU at War: CAR Mission Highlights Internal Tensions

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

The EU at War: CAR Mission Highlights Internal Tensions

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

The EU at War: CAR Mission Highlights Internal Tensions

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

EUFOR mission in Chad

NATOSource

Feb 5, 2014

The EU at War: CAR Mission Highlights Internal Tensions

By Maxime H.A. Larivé, National Interest

Four elements need to be reflected upon concerning the CSDP and CAR. First, despite the rapid European reactions to create a military mission, approved by the UN Security Council on January 29 of this year, the EU failed to use the EU Battlegroup concept

European Union France
Victory Day Parade in Moscow, May 9, 2005

NATOSource

Feb 4, 2014

Russia Named World’s Third-Largest Military Spender

By RIA Novosti

Russia is now the world’s third-largest military spender after the United States and China, pushing the United Kingdom into fourth place

China France
French Rafales jets refuel on the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman

NATOSource

Feb 4, 2014

French Fighter Jets Operate from the USS Truman in Joint Operation

By Navy News Service and Stars and Stripes

From Navy News Service:  Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) and French Navy Task Force 473 concluded five weeks of combined carrier strike group operations

France United States and Canada
UK Defense Minister Philip Hammond and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian

NATOSource

Jan 31, 2014

Britain and France Strengthen Defense Cooperation

By UK Ministry of Defense

A communiqué signed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande sets out plans for closer ties between the 2 countries.

France United Kingdom
Admiral Edouard Guillaud

NATOSource

Jan 30, 2014

France Dismisses Military Call for Intervention in Libya

By Libya Herald and AP

From Libya Herald:  France has firmly rebuffed suggestions that it should join an international force and intervene in the south of Libya to end instability there and prevent it becoming a regional base for Al Qaeda.

France Libya
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian

NATOSource

Jan 28, 2014

France’s Counterterrorism Operations in Africa Deserve US Support

By Editorial Board, Washington Post

[M]ore than 1,000 French soldiers are still fighting Islamic militants in Mali. Another French intervention force has been dispatched to restore order in the Central African Republic.

France Sahel
Allies concerned about a diminished US global presence

NATOSource

Jan 23, 2014

Get Ready, the Indispensable Americans are Pulling Back

By Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

[T]he most important emerging theme in world politics is America’s slow retreat from its role as global policeman.

France Israel

In the News

Jan 22, 2014

Dungan Quoted on Hollande’s Economic Reform Agenda

By Nicholas Dungan

Transatlantic Relations Senior Fellow Nicholas Dungan is quoted in the Financial Times on French President Francois Hollande’s efforts to reform France’s economy:

France
French commandos

NATOSource

Jan 21, 2014

Europe’s Sole Military Force: Giving France Respect Where it is Due

By Gregor Peter Schmitz, Spiegel

In Damascus, Tehran, Tripoli and even Washington, Paris is taken very seriously indeed.

Africa Europe & Eurasia

Event Recap

Jan 21, 2014

France and the United States: companions in competitiveness

Competitiveness is a strategic issue and should be viewed as such my national governments. In his latest report, Companions in Competitiveness: How France and the United States Can Help Each Other Succeed in the Twenty-First Century, senior fellow Nicholas Dungan emphasizes that short term strategies are insufficient to address the relative loss of competitiveness in […]

France
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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