France | Council on Foreign Relations

The Security Challenge at the 2024 Paris Olympics

French authorities are particularly vigilant of the terrorist threat to the games posed by Islamist extremists, a danger the country has endured for decades.

by Jonathan Masters Jul 25, 2024

What Do France’s Surprise Election Results Mean for the Far Right?

The surprising shift to the left in snap elections has broken the far-right populist fever in France, but now a crisis of governability looms in Paris that has further weakened President Emmanuel Macron’s grip on power.

by Matthias Matthijs Jul 10, 2024

Biden in France, Future of Ukraine, and U.S.-Europe Relations

CFR experts discuss President Joe Biden's first state visit to France, U.S.-Europe relations, and the future of support to Ukraine.

Event with Liana Fix, Charles A. Kupchan, and Matthias Matthijs Jun 4, 2024

Lebanon

Lebanon: How Israel, Hezbollah, and Regional Powers Are Shaping Its Future

An array of domestic and foreign powers are vying for influence in Lebanon, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, Hezbollah, Israel, Iran, Syria, and the United States.

by Jonathan Masters January 27, 2025
France

What Does France’s Political Instability Mean for Europe?

The fall of the French government, along with political uncertainty in Germany, has upped the pressure on President Emmanuel Macron amid growing European tensions over migration, Ukraine, and energy policy.

by Matthias Matthijs December 17, 2024 Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy
South Korea

Turmoil in South Korea, French Government Collapses, Syrian Rebels Reignite Conflict, and More

Impeachment looms for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose declaration of martial law spurred mass protests; French lawmakers passed the first no-confidence vote in more than sixty years, as the country is set to mark the the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral; Syrian rebels continue a surprise offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after seizing the cities of Aleppo and Hama; and U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump threatens 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins December 5, 2024 The World Next Week

Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Gisèle Pelicot is France’s New Feminist Hero

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 21 to September 27.

by Noël James September 27, 2024 Women Around the World
France

Paris Rail Sabotage as Olympics Open, and Other Headlines of the Day

The Daily News Brief

July 26, 2024
Defense and Security

The Security Challenge at the 2024 Paris Olympics

French authorities are particularly vigilant of the terrorist threat to the games posed by Islamist extremists, a danger the country has endured for decades.

by Jonathan Masters July 25, 2024

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

NATO and Ukraine Beyond 75, Japan Hosts Pacific Islands, France’s Political Gridlock, and More

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) wraps its seventy-fifth summit, pledging to keep Ukraine on an “irreversible” path to membership while concerns grow about the future of U.S. commitment; Japan hosts the tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting to counter China’s influence in the region; France struggles to form a government as party differences intensify; and President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian raises hopes for possible change in Iran.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins July 11, 2024 The World Next Week
France

What Do France’s Surprise Election Results Mean for the Far Right?

The surprising shift to the left in snap elections has broken the far-right populist fever in France, but now a crisis of governability looms in Paris that has further weakened President Emmanuel Macron’s grip on power.

by Matthias Matthijs July 10, 2024 Europe Program
United Kingdom

Media Briefing: Update on the UK and France Elections and NATO Summit

CFR experts discuss the results of presidential elections in France and the United Kingdom, as well as what to expect from the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, DC.

Virtual Event by Liana Fix , Charles A. Kupchan , Sebastian Mallaby , Matthias Matthijs and Elise Labott July 9, 2024 Europe Program
France

The Elections in Britain and France, With Matthias Matthijs and Daniela Schwarzer

Matthias Matthijs, senior fellow for Europe at CFR and associate professor of international political economy at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, and Daniela Schwarzer, a member of the executive board of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the results and consequences of the snap elections in France and the United Kingdom.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay , Matthias Matthijs and Daniela Schwarzer July 9, 2024 The President’s Inbox
France

Pivotal Elections for France—and Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist government faces a resounding defeat in snap legislative elections, potentially creating a wave of turbulence in one of the European Union’s founding member states.

by Matthias Matthijs June 27, 2024 Europe Program
France

France, Iran, and the UK Hold Snap Elections, EU Pushback on Chinese EVs, and More

France’s governance is at stake as it holds snap elections for its National Assembly, with the far-right National Rally looking to build on its success in the European Parliament elections; the United Kingdom (UK) has its own snap general elections with Keir Starmer and his Labour Party looking to end the fourteen-year rule of the Conservatives; Iran’s snap presidential elections could signal unity of regime hard-liners or glimmers of change; the European Union (EU) plans to impose provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles; and Ukraine strikes more than thirty Russian oil refineries.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins June 27, 2024 The World Next Week
France

How Will the EU Elections Results Change Europe?

Far-right advances in the European Parliament elections have destabilized politics in France, a longstanding pillar of the European Union, and highlighted fault lines in the bloc.

by Liana Fix June 10, 2024 Europe Program
European Union

What’s at Stake in the EU Elections?

The European Union’s governing bodies could see a significant shake-up as millions of voters head to the polls across the twenty-seven-member bloc, with consequences for transatlantic ties.

by Matthias Matthijs and Caroline Kapp May 31, 2024 Europe Program
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: International Women’s Day

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers March 2 to March 8.

by Noël James March 8, 2024 Women Around the World