This letter is in response to Kendra Kirk’s column (“Vive la France,” 3/18/2009). For over 60 years, France’s foreign policy has been guided by the goal of reducing America’s influence in Europe and the world, what many call “la hyperpuissance américaine”. An American-friendly president in the Elysée is a refreshing change, however, it would be a fallacy to assume that President Sarkozy is a sign of a fundamental shift in French foreign policy ideology. His government was forced to face down a vote of no confidence in April over French plans to moderately increase military support to Afghanistan. François Hollande (party socialist) accused the president of being a “lackey of Bush” and “folding under American pressure”. Almost any political commentator would agree that France’s reintegration into the command structure of NATO is a big step towards creating an independent European Union defense capability. Thus the dilemma arises. Europe taking a more proactive role in its own security would shift the burden from the US, however, French dreams of an autonomous defense capability for a more integrated EU (led by France) will undermine NATO. This dream will not see the light of day anytime soon with the skepticism of many pro-NATO EU members who prefer to look to the US for their security. However, instead of welcoming the affable Sarkozy with open arms, we should seriously contemplate the underlying French motives, the possibility of a stronger European defense capability, and the implications of a marginalized NATO for global security. Méfiez – vous de la France!
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