How Can France's New NATO Policy Be Explained vis-a-vis European Security Cooperation?
Abstract
This paper will demonstrate that France's newest stance towards NATO is linked to the status of European Security Cooperation by weighing these two questions: 1)Does France rejoin NATO to facilitate the Europeanization of NATO while simultaneously trying to enhance European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP)? And 2) Because of the remaining uncertainty (in spite of the Lisbon Treaty) with ESDP, does France need to secure its influence and options to act globally (security, power, etc.) via NATO? But first, we must trace how France's policy of "creeping reintegration" back into NATO has evolved in order to maintain/enhance France's influence in security matters, both within Europe and globally. But before we do that, a brief overview on the establishment of "exception francaise" is in order. Finally, this work will offer some possible explanations on what France's return to NATO means to the future of the alliance, the transatlantic link, and the future of ESDP. The research methodology included interviews with senior leadership and staff in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), Army G-3/5/7, and the MDA, in addition to a comprehensive literature review of government and independent documents on BMDS development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 21, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA544326
Entities
People
- Douglas L. Bentley Jr.
Organizations
- United States Army War College