FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

The French Paradox of Emmanuel Macron

New Atlanticist
Oct 2, 2024

A man in a hurry: Keir Starmer’s early approach is making waves at home and abroad

By
Ed Owen

The new UK prime minister’s much-anticipated speech at the Labour Party’s recent gathering in Liverpool is a window into where the country may be headed.

Economy & Business
Elections

The French Paradox of Emmanuel Macron

New Atlanticist
Oct 2, 2024

Three state elections have backed Germany into a corner

By
Jurek Wille and Friedrich Conradi

The recent successes of populist parties in Germany’s state elections could signal an imminent shift in Berlin’s policies on climate, immigration, and aid for Ukraine.

Elections
Germany

The French Paradox of Emmanuel Macron

New Atlanticist
Sep 26, 2024

France’s new government aims to calm the political storm. What will it mean for foreign policy?

By
Léonie Allard, Jean-Loup Samaan

Prime Minister Michel Barnier is likely to follow the path of President Emmanuel Macron, but the big question is whether the delicate political context in Paris will allow ministers to focus on crises in Ukraine and Lebanon.

Europe & Eurasia
France

EVENTS

Public Event
Tue, May 6, 2025 • 12:30 pm ET

Belgium’s defense minister on Europe’s evolving security landscape

Europe & Eurasia
NATO
Security & Defense
Western Europe

Online Event
Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government

Elections
Europe & Eurasia
European Union
Germany

Public Event
Thu, May 1, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

Underwater mayhem: Countering NATO energy & critical infrastructure threats

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance
Europe & Eurasia
European Union

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2018

The French Paradox of Emmanuel Macron

By Nicholas Dungan

Emmanuel Macron is on a high. But Emmanuel Macron also has a problem. How he addresses that problem, and whether he can solve that problem, will largely determine his success over the next four years and his chances of re-election for a new five-year term from 2022 to 2027.

France
French President Emmanuel Macron addressing Congress

NATOSource

May 1, 2018

Macron to Congress: “Europe and the United States Must Face Together the Global Challenges of this Century”

By Emmanuel Macron

Since 1776, we, the American and French people, have had a rendez-vous with freedom….

France NATO

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2018

Franco-German Role Reversal Reflected in Washington Visits

By Louis Golino

The visits to Washington this week by Europe’s two top leaders—French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel—underscore the dramatic changes within Europe and in the transatlantic relationship over the past year. France has emerged as arguably the European Union’s most influential nation today, and certainly as Washington’s preferred partner. In this, France replaces […]

European Union France

In the News

Apr 26, 2018

Livingston in AXIOS: Macron Takes on Climate Change Mantle in Address to Congress

By David Livingston

Read the full article here

France

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

It’s Merkel’s Turn: Phase Two of Europe’s Tag Team Effort With Trump

By Jörn Fleck

There seemed to be a plan behind French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visits to Washington this week: a carefully choreographed tag team effort to tame US President Donald J. Trump’s unilateralist impulses on tariffs and the Iran nuclear deal that cause serious friction in transatlantic relations.

European Union Germany

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

Can the Competing Logic of Macron, Merkel—And Structural Change in Europe—Coexist?

By Jeffrey Gedmin

“We are happy when people and things conform and unhappy when they don’t. People and events don’t disappoint us, our models of reality do.” —    Stefan Zweig, Austrian novelist, playwright, journalist, and biographer Lawmakers in the national parliament—who “owe just about everything to him”—are “perfect foot soldiers” for a leader with “an expansive notion of […]

European Union France

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

A Strategy for Merkel to Get Trump’s Attention

By Jacob Schrot

When German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in Washington on April 27 for her second visit since US President Donald J. Trump took office, she will not be weary of pointing out the common democratic values that Europe and the United States share and cherish. Trump will equally not be weary of showing his genuine disinterest […]

Germany United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2018

The Coming of Emmanuel Macron

By Nicholas Dungan

Whatever the policy outcomes on individual issues, Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit to Washington, from April 23 to April 25, will have succeeded in one goal which is surely at the top of the French president’s agenda: to “Make France Great Again.” He did so by assuming the mantle of the leadership of the West, […]

France Germany

IranSource

Apr 26, 2018

Emmanuel Macron’s Balancing Act

By Rachel Brandenburg

French President Macron is performing a delicate balancing act addressing US President Trump’s dissatisfaction with the Iran nuclear deal while seeking to keep the multilateral agreement intact. Trump has been crystal clear since his presidential campaign that he views the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – the Iran nuclear agreement – as a “bad deal.” […]

France Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 25, 2018

Macron’s Challenge to Trump

By Rachel Ansley

French President Emmanuel Macron on April 25 delivered a rallying cry for Western world leaders to reject isolationism and stand together in defense of democracy. The remarks appeared to be directed at US President Donald J. Trump who has embraced an America first worldview. “It is a critical moment,” Macron said in his address to […]

Economy & Business France
Load More

Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Salam Nukta

Innovation, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship Professional, Warsha Consulting

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Entrepreneurship

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Tim van den Bergh

Lead, Climate Tech Innovation, World Economic Forum

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Energy & Environment

Fellow

Andrea Rigoni

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Kipkorir Koskei

2025 European Leadership Accelerator participant

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Tobias Ellwood

Distinguished Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Staff

Torrey Taussig

Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia
Load More