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

Can Europe Play a Decisive Role in the Middle East?

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

Can Europe Play a Decisive Role in the Middle East?

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

Can Europe Play a Decisive Role in the Middle East?

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

The EU has the biggest single market and its sanctions can have real bite

NATOSource

Sep 17, 2013

Can Europe Play a Decisive Role in the Middle East?

By Charlemagne, Economist

The Arab world is where the EU should make its influence felt.

Europe & Eurasia European Union
NATO's New HQ

NATOSource

Sep 13, 2013

NATO Readies to Move to New Billion Dollar Headquarters

By Stephen Fidler, Wall Street Journal

Forty-six years after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization moved into these “temporary” headquarters on the outskirts of the Belgian capital, the alliance is still here.

France NATO
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

NATOSource

Sep 12, 2013

Germany is a Vegetarian in a World Full of Carnivores

By Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

While the US, Britain and France are agonising about intervention in Syria, there is no agonising in Germany. A large majority of the electorate wants to stay out of the conflict – and all of the big political parties agree.

France Germany
LTC POL AF Paul does his F-16 walkaround inspection before flight in Exercise Brilliant Arrow

NATOSource

Sep 9, 2013

NATO Concludes Air Training Exercise, Brilliant Arrow

By Allied Command Operations

One of the largest NATO air training events of the year, Exercise Brilliant Arrow, took place at Orland Airbase, in Norway from 25 Aug to 5 Sep 2013.

France Germany
B-1 Bomber

NATOSource

Sep 6, 2013

Pentagon Ordered to Expand Potential Targets in Syria, May Also Use Bombers

By New York Times and Wall Street Journal

From David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt, New York Times:  President Obama has directed the Pentagon to develop an expanded list of potential targets in Syria

France Syria
Assad regime "poses a clear and present danger to the alliance"

NATOSource

Sep 3, 2013

NATO Must Help Obama on Syria

By James G. Stavridis, New York Times

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization must be part of an international effort to respond to the crisis in Syria, beginning immediately with punitive strikes

France International Organizations
President Barack Obama

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2013

US Seeks Allies as UK Shuns Syria Action in Shock Vote

By Lorna Shaddick, FRANCE 24

The United States is still seeking an “international coalition” in response to Syria’s alleged use of chemical weapons, despite a vote against military action by British MPs, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Friday.

France Syria
President of France Francois Hollande

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2013

Despite UK Vote, France Backs Action in Syria

By David Gauthier-Villars, Wall Street Journal

France sent a clear signal on Friday that it was preparing strikes against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, with President François Hollande saying the Syrian government’s alleged use of chemical weapons against its own people cannot go unpunished.

France International Organizations
USAF KC-135R Stratotanker at Incirlik air base

NATOSource

Aug 28, 2013

Turkey may Open İncirlik Base for NATO Mission in Syria

By Murat Yetkin, Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey may open its strategic İncirlik air base for possible military operations into neighboring Syria, if the Western defense alliance NATO decides for an intervention in the ongoing civil war, a ranking Turkish official told the Hürriyet Daily News on Aug. 26.

France Germany
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

NATOSource

Aug 26, 2013

Syria: Russia Dooms Hopes of UN Security Council Resolution

By Raf Sanchez and Roland Oliphant, Telegraph

As the US, Britain and France edged closer to approving strikes in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons, the Kremlin said that the West was moving down “a very dangerous path.”

France International Organizations
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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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