This report examines contemporary French security policies and finds that despite momentous geopolitical changes in Europe since late 1989, the basic elements of French security policy have not changed much, as revealed both in France's relations with Europe and NATO and in France's response to the Gulf War. Looking ahead, the study finds that a major reorientation of security policy is unlikely in the near term. For U.S. policy, the study finds that it is not in America's interest to "marginalize" or "isolate" France by focusing solely on our "Atlantic" allies in Europe. While the study shows evidence that immobilism is more likely than major change in French-U.S. relations, it still argues that the United States should not oppose attempts to create a European security and defense identity and that it should do more to show France that the rejuvenation of NATO is not meant to exclude and replace everything else.

This report seeks to identify the various pressures on the famous French "defense consensus" and to ask how France has been adapting to those pressures so far. Based on extensive interviews with French officials and analysts over the past 12 months, the report places evolving French security policy into its postwar context and attempts to determine the extent to which traditional French thinking about European security has changed, and to identify those areas in which it has not changed. Section 2 reviews the main elements of French security policy since the early 196Os and examines the geopolitical, diplomatic, and fiscal pressures that many believe will force France to modify its long-standing approach. Section 3 analyzes French policy over the past 2 years in three key dimensions: the Atlantic Alliance, the European security identity, and France's global military role in the wake of the Persian Gulf War. Section 4 assesses the prospects for near-term change in French security policy and analyzes three of the most plausible scenarios that could follow the legislative elections scheduled for 1993. Section 5 concludes by examining the implications of French policy for French-American relations and offering some recommendations for U.S. policy toward France. Despite momentous geopolitical changes in Europe since lae 1989, the basic elements of French security policy have not changed much, as revealed both in France's relations with Europe and NATO and in its response to the Gulf War. The study finds that a major reorientation of security policy is unlikely in the near term. It is not in America's interest to marginalize or isolate France by focusing solely on its Atlantic allies in Europe. While immobilism is more likely than major change in French-U.S. relations, the United States should not oppose attempts to create a European security and defense identity, and it should do more to show France that the rejuvenation of NATO is not meant to replace everything els7

Part I. The era of frustration (1945-1958) -- France's difficult entry into the Cold War -- French powerlessness -- Part II. Challenging the status quo (1958-1969) -- Re-establishing France's "rank"--Challenging the established order -- The apogee of de Gaulle's grand policy -- Part III. Imanaging de Gaulle's legacy (1969-1981) -- Opting for continuity -- The education of a president -- Part IV. The end of the Cold War (1981-1995) -- New Cold War, new detente -- The end of "Yalta" -- Part V. France and globalization (1995-2015) -- In search of a multipolar world -- Charts

Examines the role of the U.S. in NATO. The author finds the sources of many current problems and singles out two basic weaknesses: the failure of the European NATO Allies to form a European defense community, and the parallel U.S. decision to rest NATO's defense on U.S. nuclear forces. Suggests some directions for NATO strategy, force posture, arms control policies, and East-West relations. Photos, tables and figures. Glossary. Index.

Role Quests in the Post-Cold War Era examines the question of foreign policy change through a comparative analysis of the Great Powers' reactions to the transformations in international relations after the Cold War. Contributors describe and explain the efforts of the United States, the Soviet Union/Russia, China, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada to redefine the role they play in an environment that has become internally and externally more uncertain.