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

French Foreign Minister Sees ‘Isolationist Tendency’ in US Foreign Policy

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

French Foreign Minister Sees ‘Isolationist Tendency’ in US Foreign Policy

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

French Foreign Minister Sees ‘Isolationist Tendency’ in US Foreign Policy

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

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius

NATOSource

Nov 19, 2013

French Foreign Minister Sees ‘Isolationist Tendency’ in US Foreign Policy

By Roger Cohen, New York Times

There is talk of the trauma of Aug. 31. On that Saturday afternoon President [Francois] Hollande took a call from President [Barack] Obama.

France Iran
French fighter jet refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker, March 17, 2013

NATOSource

Nov 4, 2013

The Role of the US Air Force in the French Mission in Mali

By Gabe Starosta, Air Force Magazine

France’s intervention in Mali earlier this year—helping its former colony defend against Islamic extremists—didn’t get the media attention lavished on the overthrow of Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi or the crisis in Syria. But the Mali mission has so far proved successful

France Sahel
The Franco-German Brigade

NATOSource

Nov 1, 2013

The Widening Gap Between France and Germany Over Defense

By Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe

Steadfast Jazz takes place against the background of a widening gap between France and Germany over defense and security matters.

European Union France
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and German Minister of Defense Thomas de Maizière, March 11, 2011

NATOSource

Oct 22, 2013

German Plan to Reform NATO Faces Broad Opposition

By Matthias Gebauer, Gregor Peter Schmitz and Christoph Schult, Spiegel

German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière wants to strengthen cooperation among NATO members and is calling for reform of the military alliance. But other countries are skeptical.

France Germany
French Interior Minister Manuel Valls

NATOSource

Oct 21, 2013

New Report of N.S.A. Spying Angers France

By Alissa J. Rubin, New York Times

The National Security Agency has carried out extensive electronic surveillance in France, a French newspaper reported Monday, drawing an angry condemnation from an important American ally.

Cybersecurity France
Meeting of NATO Defense Ministers, October 14, 2010

NATOSource

Oct 11, 2013

Should NATO’s Article 5 Only Protect Allies that Bear Fair Part of Defense Burden?

By Andrew Roberts, Hoover Institution

“Britannia’s 19 Ships Can’t Rule a Single Wave” was a recent headline in London’s Sunday Times.

France Germany
UN Security Council meeting

NATOSource

Oct 4, 2013

France Calls for Major Powers to Voluntarily Limit Their UN Veto

By Laurent Fabius, New York Times

France is in favor of a more representative United Nations — in particular, through enlargement of the Security Council — but we are still far from reaching an agreement that would enable such progress.

France International Organizations
Enders Says Europe Foreign, Security Policies Grow Less Coherent

NATOSource

Sep 26, 2013

EADS Head Says EU Lacks Clear Security Policy

By Daniel Michaels, Wall Street Journal

European policy on foreign affairs and security is less coherent now than at any point since the Cold War ended, widening a military gap with the U.S.

Europe & Eurasia European Union
Chinese S-300 launcher

NATOSource

Sep 26, 2013

Turkey Selects Chinese Missile Defense System Over US & European Options

By Anadolu Agency

Ankara has granted a long-awaited tender for long-range missile and air defense systems to Chinese contenders

China France
Coldstream Guards

NATOSource

Sep 25, 2013

Syria Shows Why Europe Needs to Flex More Muscle

By Gérard Errera, Financial Times

Europe has soft power through its ability to define rules and standards and to extend humanitarian and financial aid. It thinks the US can take the role of policeman of the world.

France NATO
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Experts

Fellow

Jérémie Gallon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business English

Fellow

Marie Jourdain

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Africa English

Fellow

Erwan Lagadec

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Jeffrey Lightfoot

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

English Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Leo Michel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Staff

Emma Nix

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Eastern Europe
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