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

Companions in Competitiveness

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

Companions in Competitiveness

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

Companions in Competitiveness

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.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

Report

Jan 9, 2014

Companions in Competitiveness

By Nicholas Dungan

How France and the United States Can Help Each Other Succeed in the Twenty-first Century The Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Relations Program’s new report, Companions in Competitiveness: How France and the United States Can Help Each Other Succeed in the Twenty-first Century, examines the factors needed for the two allies to thrive the globalized world of the […]

France
Germany's former defence minister Thomas de Maiziere

NATOSource

Jan 9, 2014

Outgoing German Defense Minister Takes Parting Shots at France, Britain

By AFP

Germany’s former defence minister on Wednesday took an unusually undiplomatic parting shot at allies France and Britain, saying Berlin had met its responsibilities when it came to overseas military operations.

France Germany
Turkey's new envoy to the US, Ambassador Serdar Kılıç

NATOSource

Jan 6, 2014

Turkey Replaces Ambassadors in Washington, London, and Paris

By Hurriyet, Anadolu Agency, and Turkish Embassy in Tokyo

From Hurriyet Daily News:  A major reshuffle of Turkey’s most important diplomatic posts has taken effect with two former ambassadors to Japan, Serdar Kılıç and Abdurrahman Bilgiç, being posted as Turkey’s envoys to the United States and the United Kingdom respectively.

France NATO
Chinese Military

NATOSource

Dec 20, 2013

Why are European Allies Arming China?

By David Lague, Reuters

If the People’s Liberation Army went to war tomorrow, it would field an arsenal bristling with hardware from some of America’s closest allies: Germany, France and Britain.

China Europe & Eurasia
French Reaper drone

NATOSource

Dec 19, 2013

France Deploying US-Made Drones to Hunt Al Qaeda in Mali

By Reuters

France will deploy its first U.S.-made unarmed surveillance drones to West Africa by the end of the year, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Thursday, as it seeks to “eliminate all traces of al Qaeda.”

France Sahel
French President François Hollande

NATOSource

Dec 18, 2013

French Seek Permanent EU Defense Fund

By Hugh Carnegy, Financial Times

In an effort to put its allies on the spot, President François Hollande is poised to demand, at a Brussels summit on Thursday, that the EU sets up a permanent fund to finance operations such as France’s intervention in the Central African Republic.

Africa European Union
French soldier in Afghanistan

NATOSource

Dec 12, 2013

Is France Replacing the US as the World’s Policeman?

By Emily Cadei, OZY

With French troops on the ground in Mali and now the Central African Republic, French President Francois Hollande’s enthusiastic support for the aborted U.S. strikes in Syria and French diplomats’ tough line on negotiations with Iran

Africa France
French National Assembly

NATOSource

Dec 11, 2013

Legislation Will Soon Expand Cyber Power of French Government

By Wall Street Journal

The pending French measures would require Internet providers, telecom operators and content companies to give up “communications, information or documents processed or preserved by their networks or electronic communications services” when demanded by law enforcement.

Cybersecurity France
KFOR Headquarters

NATOSource

Dec 3, 2013

NATO: France Pulling Its Troops Out of Kosovo Mission

By AP and Reuters

From AP:  NATO’s supreme commander says France is pulling out of the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo because of commitments in Mali and Central African Republic.

France NATO
European drone prototype, nEUron

NATOSource

Nov 19, 2013

European Defense Ministers Agree to Form ‘Drone Club’

By AP and AFP

From AP:  France, Germany and other European countries on Tuesday formed a “drone users club” to develop a rival to the U.S. and Israeli pilotless aircraft that dominate the field.

Drones European Union
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Experts

Fellow

Didier Acouetey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Fellow

Gérard Araud

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

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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