France and NATO After the Cold War, by Gilles Andréani France's move towards a rapprochement with NATO, which was hastened by président Chirac ― and his will to reform the Alliance in Europe's favour ― has been suspended with the Franco-American quarrel over the southern command. The United States has preferred to give priority to reasserting its leadership and to eastward expansion at the expense or restabilizing the heart of the Alliance. However, the fact that Europe is a minor actor in the area of security remains an anomaly. France, without whom any reform seems hard to envisage, will again be required to promote a new division of tasks and responsibilities within NATO, but she will do so only if she is convinced of the United States' ...