France

Research on France focuses on security, Anglo-French cooperation and French foreign and overseas policy.

A major focus is examining opportunities for Franco-British cooperation after Brexit, by bringing policy-makers, business leaders, leading analysts and commentators from France and the UK together.

The future of the EU is a major aspect of analysing French foreign policy, as the country battles to balance domestic issues and priorities with those affecting Europe as a whole.

The far right RN may have failed to take power, but France’s political institutions, its place in the world, its financial position and its fragmented society will all be affected by a hung parliament.

If his party is severely defeated at the European elections in June, the French president will find it harder than before to shape the EU’s agenda.

Events in France and Germany show that policies to deliver sustainable food, transport and energy systems need to take far better account of the needs of rural communities.

Episode 22 of our weekly podcast focuses on France and the domestic and foreign policy challenges facing its president Emmanuel Macron.

In 2021 G7 leaders pledged to build back a better world. They now need to redouble their efforts to make sure that this ambition is fulfilled.

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Two people stand by a bus displaying a campaign poster for the Fratelli d'Italia party with a picture of its leader Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Far right parties’ vote share did not increase on the scale some expected. But in the long-term, their ideas may affect EU policy on migration, environment, security and enlargement.

Short animation explaining the issues around the growing use of drones and what should be done to address them.

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Mario Draghi talks to media with an EU flag behind him

Stark recommendations in the report risk being thwarted by a European leadership vacuum – and a lacking sense of urgency.

Far right parties’ vote share did not increase on the scale some expected. But in the long-term, their ideas may affect EU policy on migration, environment, security and enlargement.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping along a red carpet, past Serbian soldiers standing to attention

During his trip to Europe Xi could find it hard to address the damage wrought by COVID-19 and Beijing’s stance on Ukraine. But he may exploit existing tensions with Washington.

Strengthening accountability, transparency and participation is essential to financing an effective transition to net zero.

There are significant challenges to member states of the European Union (EU) working together, and a growing gap between EU capabilities and expectations.

A general view of the border fence and border guards at the Polish-Belarusian border near the village of Nowodziel in Poland, on 30 June 2022. Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

As European attitudes towards refugees harden, Anna Vallianatou speaks to Lisa Toremark about the ongoing reform negotiations and key policy issues at stake.

Member content

Across the US and Europe, faith in the news is falling amid a cacophony of sensationalist reporting, writes Catherine Fieschi.

Winners of 2022 Eurovision, Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, on stage with their trophy

Member content

Europe’s great song competition may strive for continental harmony, but bitter conflicts and voting blocs often drag it off key, writes Saskia Postema.

Both London and Paris appear committed to making the March summit a success by relaunching a positive agenda for bilateral cooperation on a range of issues.

Pepijn Bergsen discusses the nuances behind populist protest and explains why economic inequality undermines democracy in Europe.

This paper assesses plans for investment in a sustainable economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, and examines how such efforts could transform international development cooperation.

The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) has become the main platform for US–EU trade and tech cooperation. But the US and the EU must turn ambitions into tangible outcomes if the TTC is to tackle significant global issues.

Europe and the US recognize that their policies and strategies on the Indo-Pacific need to be more coherent. Existing structures such as the G7 and the Quad could become key forums for enhanced cooperation.

Drawing on their International Affairs article, Jamal Barnes and Samuel Makinda outline the effect of AUKUS on Australia-France relations and the liberal order.

Member content

The bombing of the Greenpeace ship by French agents did nothing but kill one person and elevate the protest group’s profile, says former crew member Paul Brown

Member content

America’s hard-right has successfully played a long game at home, and now it’s schmoozing Europe. We should be worried, says Catherine Fieschi

Despite its stance on Ukraine winning plaudits, questions remain over the UK’s wider record on Russia and whether its tone will help achieve longer-term goals.

The fourth episode of our podcast mini-series examines how reliant the European Union (EU) is on Russian energy.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine reinforces the reality that only France and the UK can lead a European contribution to Indo-Pacific security.

Culture and history create different ideas of what good democracy is, but comparisons in Europe still help improve the overall debate about potential reform.

Recent events regarding Ukraine show an active UK responding quickly while EU powers deliberate. But pulling ahead of the pack is not the same as leadership.

Member content

Catherine Fieschi assesses his chances as France prepares to elect its next president

Member content

February 10, 1919: Mona Siegel on the Inter-Allied Women’s Conference’s pioneering work

Member content

African states on the front foot as they demand action

Efforts to understand the rise of populist parties and movements in Europe need to take into account the diverse contexts in which anti-establishment protest has flourished.

People down a street past a temple in Pettah, a neighbourhood in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo

Member content

Sujit Sivasundaram revisits the age of the British Empire through the eyes of the indigenous people of the Pacific and Indian oceans

There is potential for complementary agendas in French and German approaches to Russia, but the Franco-German ‘motor’ will not be enough to push through an EU-wide Russia policy.

Poland is not the only EU member state challenging the supremacy of European law, as historic change is happening in how European integration functions.

With a focus on evacuations from Afghanistan, the situation in Europe is often forgotten as thousands of asylum seekers continue to wait for their cases to be settled.

In Hungary, France and Spain, new political movements from the far-right are attempting to reshape their education systems.

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Experts map out the stakes and challenges faced by the Union in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

What are the security challenges facing the region?

Drawing from the latest issue of International Affairs, experts discuss the future of the EU’s foreign policy and challenges it faces.

How G7 countries should best respond to global economic and security challenges in order to defend the liberal international order.

What does the election mean for European security and French democracy?

What are the (un)intended effects of counterterrorist strategies in the region?

This event explores France and Germany’s policies towards Russia and what they mean for EU-Russia relations.

In conversation with Michel Barnier, Chief Brexit Negotiator, European Union (2016-2019).

What to expect from the G7 summit 2021, as leaders of the largest Western economies meet in the UK from 11–13 June.

How is the European External Action Service developing its activities to respond to new challenges?

Join European experts to discuss the state of play for diplomatic cooperation between France, Germany, and the UK in the ‘E3’ format.

For close to two years, Chatham House has been researching changes in strategic perceptions of the Indo-Pacific from the points of view of seven countries: the United States, United Kingdom, France, India, the Kingdom of Tonga, Japan and China.

Sir Peter Westmacott joins Jon Sopel, BBC’s North America Editor, to discuss his life as an official at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and representing the UK abroad.

With opinion polls showing support for the movement starting to decline, and the French public divided over whether it should continue, the panellists consider how the events of the last few months will affect the next phase of Macron’s presidency.

Looking beyond Brexit, French Minister for European Affairs, Nathalie Loiseau, outlines the reforms of the EU as envisaged by President Emmanuel Macron, aimed at ensuring the future viability and prosperity of the Union.