Our Oldest Allies?

Like many Americans, I had put France outside the circle of friends after the behavior of their government during the run-up to OIF. Morally, I thought that they were complicit in the crimes of Saddam by supporting his regime, and actively undermined U.S. policy rather than take a neutral stance on a matter of U.S. national security (especially as the French were intervening in the Ivory Coast at the same time, claiming it to be in their own national interest). See e.g., http://www.expatica.com/fr/articles/news/questions-raised-about-french-links-to-saddam-24472.html and http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/timmerman200403220851.asp. I thought them ungrateful for our previous sacrifices on their behalf, and I thought that they were dooming the UN to be a forum of talking rather than doing, which only worked to protect the most repressive and undemocratic regimes in the world. If the UN did not want to face down a tyrant like Saddam, what good were its declarations of rights, humanitarian ideals, and efforts at securing international peace?

It is always important, however, to distinguish between a nation's regime and its citizens, especially in a dictatorship like Saddam's where citizens have very little choice about who their rulers are, but also in a democracy where the democratically elected officials are installed with majority support but must maintain it in order to be re-elected. When the French voted out Chirac and Villepin in favor of pro-American Nicolas Sarkozy, I wondered what it would mean for US-French relations.

As a military student at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, I recently had the great privilege of participating in a military cooperation program with the French Army. From 4 to 18 October 2008, twelve U.S. Army majors traveled to France as part of a staff college exchange. During the course of our two week visit, I learned many things and admit that I was wrong in my harsh judgment against the French nation. The French nation was divided about our involvement as was the United States. The media lens made it appear that France was united in its opposition. I learned, however, from our French counterparts that they do see the world as a dangerous place where threats like international terrorism must be confronted. Like us, the French military is undergoing a transformation to meet these new threats in a global environment and with shrinking military resources. A recent White Paper outlines the measures they will take. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2008/livre-blanc_france_2008-12.htm. In addition, during our visit to the battlefields of Normandy, it remained clear that the French people do remember the assistance the Allies rendered in liberating their country from the Nazis.

The exchange with the French Staff College was a great success. The exchange confirmed that France is the oldest ally of the United States, and that our shared beliefs in democracy, equality, and the rights of man bind our nations together. French and American forces are fighting shoulder to shoulder in many conflicts around the world, including most importantly in the Balkans and in Afghanistan. We may have disagreements, as brothers do, but we can be sure that the blood of patriots runs through the veins of both of our nations.

We look forward to the French military officers traveling to the United States in January 2009 to participate in an exercise at our Command and General Staff College here at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. I will long remember the graciousness, generosity, and hospitality of the French Commandant, the professional staff and instructors at the French service schools, and that of our French counterparts. I’d be proud to serve with any of them, anywhere, anytime.