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October 23, 2009 | Rasmussen Set to Reinvigorate NATO

Sebastian Bruns: The new Secretary General of NATO needs to seize momentum to reinvigorate NATO’s influence, now the Eurocentric alliance is in decline. He will need tact and diplomacy to act as a mediator between the French and the Americans, whilst keeping the other member states united.

December 30, 2008 | Sarkozy: Bush in French Garb

Thomas Speckmann: Nicolas Sarkozy governs according to his own agenda, to the disadvantage of Europe. His political style is similar to the unilateral approach of President Bush, condemned by so many Europeans. France cannot continue to give its longstanding ally, Germany, the cold shoulder. Sarkozy must cease his go-it-alone policies and become “Sarkozy l’Européen.”

July 18, 2008 | Is the US Really Better Off With Sarkozy?

Nikolas Kirrill Gvosdev: Despite the proclaimed cooperative approach, Franco-American tensions could grow bigger than under Chirac. Sarkozy’s Euro-Atlantic, yet independent, foreign policy moves could well be at odds with the next US president’s understanding of multilateralism.

June 20, 2008 | France Adopts a Multilateral Defense Policy

Transatlantic Press Round-up: The 2008 White Paper sets the tone for the next decade of French defense policy. Although France’s “loss of independence” is controversial, many welcome the progress towards synchronization of the French, European, and transatlantic security and defense strategies.

June 20, 2008 | Sarkozy Re-Ignites the EU Enlargement Row

Marek Swierczynski: One crisis is rapidly spiralling to another. The Irish “No” to the Lisbon Treaty spoiled the mood among the EU big players so much that they’ve threatened to halt enlargement plans. And it is not Ireland, they’re threatening but Eastern European new member states.

June 2, 2008 | Med Union and Eastern Partnership are Rivals in the EU-Vision Contest

Marek Swierczynski: Now the Lisbon Treaty is almost over and done with, the EU is encouraged to look south- and eastwards. Initiatives by France and a Polish-Swedish team aim at creating buffer-spaces between the EU and unstable regions, but could create tensions that challenge the bloc’s unity.

April 10, 2008 | Understanding homeland security's transatlantic challenges

Andrew D. Bishop: If U.S. and European leaders are going to protect their respective homelands together, they need to understand each other’s current strengths and weaknesses. This paper addresses them.

February 25, 2008 | EU Expansion to Israel and Palestine

Leon Hadar: The EU should put its money where its mouth is and work towards inviting both Israel and Palestine to join the EU. With the election of a new US president, Europe could gain more control in the Middle East, but only if it simultaneously accepts more responsibility.

December 4, 2007 | Will NATO's Prodigal Son Return?

Dominique Moisi: I considers how likely it is that France will return to NATO’s military command. Regardless of Sarkozy’s decision, the issue represents a new strategy: “to link progress in building a common European defense and security structure with a redefinition of NATO.”

January 28, 2010 | To Ban or Not to Ban the Burqa? That is the Question

It is a violation of human rights when a government either mandates or prohibits women from wearing a burqa or niqab. ++ The government in France is trying to do just that by making it illegal for women to wear the garments in public. ++ “People must be free to make these decisions for themselves, not have them imposed by governments or enforced by the police.” ++ Of the 5 million

November 18, 2009 | Mistral Malaise

France and Russia are finalizing the sale of an amphibious assault ship, which should catch the attention of every NATO ally. ++ With a ship like the Mistral, Russia’s August campaign against Georgia could have been accomplished in “40 minutes, not 26 hours.” ++ Moscow’s aim is not to challenge American naval dominance, rather to counter NATO’s eastward enlargement. ++ This short-sighted

July 10, 2009 | How to Overcome (Iranian) Dictatorship

History has shown that there are similar scripts utilized by authoritarian regimes to manifest dictatorship. ++ “Invoke a threat…establish a surveillance apparatus…subvert the rule of law.” ++ This procedure applied by Iranian and Thai regimes can be defeated. ++ Pro-democracy movements in the US, France and Estonia provide the example. ++ “The counter-script… consists of more mass

May 1, 2009 | World Needs to Help Pakistan and Afghanistan

The global community is slowly realizing the magnitude of the dangers the current problems Pakistan and Afghanistan carry for the world. ++ France has taken an active role, “committed to contributing its full weight to help settle these conflicts.” ++ Efforts to stabilize Afghanistan will fail if Pakistan does not participate fully in the fight against terrorism. ++ The solution

March 13, 2009 | France Re-Discovers NATO

After 43 years of abstinence France is returning to NATO. ++ President Sarkozy decided that France should “reintegrat[e] into all structures of the Atlantic alliance.” ++ The move brings France closer to the US and undoes de Gaulle’s refusal “to allow the French armed forces to submit to US command,” stirring criticism from both “old-guard Gaullists”

March 6, 2009 | France Don't Panic Your Voice Will Be Heard

The argument that France would lose its diplomatic freedom and image of independent power by re-integrating into the military structure of NATO is unfounded. ++ It would assure France a better defense of its national interests. ++ NATO is a consensus based alliance and every country’s view is considered in the decision-making process. ++ More importantly, NATO is about to delineate a new

February 26, 2009 | Lure France Back into NATO

When France left NATO’s permanent command structure 43 years ago, it was confident in its decision. ++ Contemporary realties —the financial crisis and the need for transatlantic cooperation in light of a slowly emerging multipolarity— combine to call for a stronger French presence. ++ France’s return to NATO would better serve French domestic interests, advance the

February 25, 2009 | Berlusconi and Sarkozy: More Than Energy Friends

Berlusconi and Sarkozy have signed an agreement to increase cooperation over nuclear energy and enhance collaboration in related sectors. ++ Yet the get-together turned out to be a compliment race more than an energy agreement. ++ The two leaders extensively commented on their respective successes in dealing with domestic and foreign policy issues, albeit with poor empirical evidence. ++

February 19, 2009 | NATO Is Not the Answer

Sarkozy’s decision to rejoin NATO’s military command is the wrong response to the new era Obama has ushered in. ++ NATO remains an organization designed for the Cold War era without the legitimacy to take on a universal role. ++ Sarkozy is sending out a signal that France wishes to remain part of the “western family,” locked in a defensive mindset of yesteryear. ++

January 30, 2009 | Sarkozysm, Second Class Gaullism

France finds itself once again immersed in massive protests directed against Mr. Sarkozy, compared by several to General de Gaulle for their common attempts to monopolize power. ++ A striking difference, however, ought to be pointed out: Sarkozysm has “no heroic feats of courage, no sacrifice for the common good, little sense of history or public service.” ++ The socialist party has so far been

January 12, 2009 | Overactive, Mr Sarkozy?

Taking office upon a promise of “a rupture” with French national and foreign policy, Nicolas Sarkozy differentiates himself from his predecessors through the active role he assumes in the international arena. ++ The current crisis in Gaza is a crisis which may well “measure up to Sarkozy’s metabolism.” ++ His different approach towards the US and Israel — he publicly stated that he

January 12, 2009 | 2009 Will Test EMU and Franco-German Relations

2009 will be a challenging year for EMU and Franco-German relations regarding which economic policies to adopt. ++ The two countries traditionally differ on their stance vis à vis the role of the ECB, namely its degree of independence. ++ The French have often accused their neighbor of gleaning “unfair economic advantage from the EU.” ++ Criticism has risen under Sarkozy and culminated

October 14, 2008 | Russia Can "Talk Away" Georgia Conflict

Moscow’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia does not correlate with universal approval, and an international dialogue concerning the status of Georgia is set to begin. ++ Europe has proven itself too dissolute to confront Russia openly: Sarkozy has advocated global mediation, emphasizing Georgia’s weakness, and Merkel speaks of “Georgia’s core territory,” nearly cow-towing to the Russian

August 19, 2008 | EU Has Risen to the Occasion

The EU can be proud of achieving a cease-fire between Russia and Georgia. ++ The Caucasus crisis has shown that the EU is able to create a space for diplomacy in order to resolve international conflicts. ++ Much remains to be done if the situation is to be stabilized in the long run but so far the EU has risen to the occasion. ++ Europe made Russia listen by choosing “action and negotiation over

July 18, 2008 | Peace in the Middle East Still Needs the Americans

President Sarkozy invited many political leaders of the Middle East to help establish the Union for the Mediterranean. ++ But even if the French president likes to pride himself as a peacemaker, the exchange of bodies and prisoners between Hezbollah and Israel makes clear how hopeless the region has become. ++ In the near future, Israel will have a new prime minister and the US a new president.

July 17, 2008 | "France Has Stepped Out of Hibernation"

Despite a controversial relationship to the media, opposition to Turkish EU membership, and waning popularity at home, Sarkozy in all his recklessness is a positive force for France and for Europe. ++ The president has transformed France’s foreign relations turning it into a credible ally and intermediary. ++ Rapprochement with the US and Israel has brought independence to France and cohesiveness

July 14, 2008 | Sarkozy Jeopardizes the Next Trade Talks

The prospects for a global agreement to slash subsidies and tariffs at the WTO meeting in Geneva next Monday are dim. ++ At stake is the Doha Round of trade liberalization talks. ++ The latest threat to the Doha Round comes from an all-too-familiar source: France. ++ Sarkozy said “I will never accept a reduction in agricultural production on the altar of global liberalism.” ++ Perhaps Sarkozy

June 18, 2008 | EU Defense Policy: Progress on Paper Only

France issued a White Paper on military reforms to meet the new challenges of transnational terrorism and nuclear proliferation. ++ Alongside the modernization and rationalization of its armed forces, France seeks to return to the NATO command structure and revive the idea of a common European defense policy. ++ The US no longer rejects the plan and has thus cleared the way for the formation of

June 2, 2008 | Germany Would do Well to Look Towards France

President Sarkozy has announced that citizens of the 2004 EU accession countries will be permitted to work freely in France beginning in July. ++ This development contrasts sharply with Germany where “borders will remain firmly shut for another three years.” ++ While wage modernization and the boom enjoyed by export partners mean that the short-run looks bright for Germany, the country’s

April 30, 2008 | Sarkozy l' Américain?

The election of Nicolas Sarkozy was a source of hope for the future of Franco-American and transatlantic relations. Sarkozy made no secret of his intention to kick start a new era of French foreign policy and effect a radical break away from a forty year old Gaullist anti-American tradition, loyally held up by his predecessor Jacques Chirac. Now nearly a year has gone by since the proclaimed

April 7, 2008 | US and Europe at Odds Over Russia's Resources

Europe needs Russia for its oil and natural gas and Russia needs Europe for revenue from these resources. ++ This reciprocal relationship explains Europe’s opposition to granting Ukraine and Georgia NATO membership. ++ The issue of energy security is one of the few issues where central and eastern European countries agree with the US and are in conflict with Germany and France.

April 4, 2008 | Division Hampers Progress in Afghanistan

Troops in Afghanistan amount to a mere 10% of the contingent needed. ++ Quarrelling over NATO policy issues is preventing gathering the necessary means to effectively tackle terrorism and the Taliban. ++ While French, German and Greek troops are comfortably in the North “where the main threat they face is boredom,” their politicians are willing to take charge, but not to shoulder the war’s

November 13, 2007 | France's Return to NATO is Key for the Future Success of the Alliance

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has reached out to the United States and is willing to bring France back into NATO, an offer America should seize, writes Dr. Ronald Asmus from the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) and member of the Atlantic Initiative Advisory Board.
In 1995 Presidents Chirac and Clinton came close to an agreement, but sudden political changes threw France back

June 11, 2007 | Sarkozy and the Arab world: French policy at the crossroads?

New French president Nicolas Sarkozy could initiate a historic shift in French Middle East policy, says Pascal Boniface, director of the IRIS Institute for International and Strategic Relations.

For forty years, French policy has been viewed as pro-Arab, an approach which has been attributed to French commercial interests and a large Muslim population. According to Boniface, however,

April 19, 2007 | Rosemary Righter on America's Pampered Godchild

With the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome approaching, journalist Rosemary Righter suggests that Angela Merkel stop worrying about the EU constitution and instead help Europe stimulate growth by “joining forces” with the United States and creating a transatlantic single market. Germany and France should not disdain US assistance now: the EEC owed much of its early success to the American

April 16, 2007 | Guillemette Faure on Old European France

In the upcoming 2008 US presidential elections, it appears as though accusing one’s opponent of being French will remain an effective strategy. Guillemette Faure, author of La France Made in the USA, reports that four years after de Villepin voted “non” to the Iraq War at the UN Security Council, anti-French sentiment still hovers at 57 % in the US. Although the US and France have worked