NATO

France and Germany split over Ukraine’s appeal to join NATO

International — Link

Paris is pushing for a fixed path for Ukraine to join the NATO military alliance, but Berlin is urging more caution.

French soldiers deployed in Romania on NATO mission are 'cold' and 'hungry'

International — Investigation

On November 3rd France's armed forces minister Sébastien Lecornu visited French troops who have been deployed in Romania as part of a NATO mission. However, despite the upbeat photo opportunities, some of the soldiers stationed there complain of logistical failings, a lack of food and poor living conditions. Justine Brabant reports.

Senior French army officer held on suspicion of spying for Russia

France — Link

France's defence minister Florence Parly has confirmed that a French army lieutenant-colonel, whose identity was not released, has been arrested for passing secret information to Russia, which reportedly happened as he prepared to leave France to return to his post with NATO's southern command headquarters in Naples. 

France pulls out of Nato maritime mission in row with Turkey

International — Link

Weeks after an incident in which France accused Turkish warships of intimidating one of its frigates, the French defence ministry has announced it is suspending its role in Nato's Mediterranean operation Sea Guardian, accusing Turkey of violating an arms embargo against Libya.

Trump slams 'very, very nasty' Macron comments on Nato

International — Link

At a press conference in London ahead of a summit to mark Nato's 70th anniversary, US President Donlad Trump said comments earlier this month by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron who said the military alliance was 'brain dead' were 'very, very nasty' and 'disrespectful', adding a jibe that France was 'not doing well economically at all'.

France reacts after Turkey's Erdogan slams Macron's NATO comments

International — Link

French government will summon Turkish envoy in Paris for talks after Turkey's president accused Emmanuel Macron of suffering 'brain death'.

German FM warns off Macron from undermining NATO

International — Link

German foreign minister Heiko Maas, reacting to French President Emmanuel Macron's remark last week that the North Atlantic Treatty Organisation, NATO, was 'brain dead', has said that 'without the United States, neither Germany nor Europe will be able to effectively protect themselves'.

Nato alliance 'brain dead' says Macron

International — Link

 In an interview with the magazine The Economist ahead of a London summit to mark 70th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (Nato), French President Emmanuel Macron said weakening US commitment to the alliance has depleted its strength and that 'What we are currently experiencing is the brain death of Nato', while he urged Europe to think of itself as a 'geopolitical power' to ensure it remained 'in control' of its destiny.   

Inside the French army’s chemical and biological weapons antidote factory

France

In a military base not far from the city of Orleans south of Paris, a top-security factory ensures France is well-prepared for a range of chemical and biological threats. Even when there is no imminent danger some 30 million to 40 million pills are made each year – and destroyed when they pass their expiry date. Mediapart's Rozenn Le Saint was given rare access.

France to boost defence spending in 'unprecedented' move

France — Link

Plan is to increase spending by a third between 2017 and 2025 to meet NATO commitments and modernise France's army and nuclear deterrent.

Macron says white-knuckle handshake with Trump 'not innocent'

International — Link

French President Emmanuel Macron interviewed in French weekly JDD said the widely commented handshake duel with his US counterpart Donald Trump, when the two met for the first time last week in Brussels, was 'a moment of truth' with a man he said was, along with Russian President Vladidmir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Erdoğan, 'in a logic of relations of power'.

Macron raises plight of French photographer in Turkey with Erdogan

International — Link

French officials said Turkish President Recep Erdogan has said he will examine the case of French photographer Mathias Depardon, arrested  earlier this month while on an assignment for National Geographic magazine in south-east Turkey, after French President Emmanuel Macron raised the issue with him ahead of a NATO summit in Brussels.

Macron and Trump hold talks during NATO mini summit

International — Link

French President Emmanuel Macron met with US President Donald Trump at the US ambassador to Belgium's private residence in Brussles on Thursday, on the sidelines of a NATO summit, after which Macron said they had a 'long' and 'very frank' discussion on 'all subjects', when he urged the US not to withdraw support for the Paris Climate agreement pledges. 

France 'aiming to take Nato leadership role from Britain after Brexit'

France — Link

Paris sent unofficial delegation to US to argue that French armed forces were better placed to be America’s special ally in Europe after Brexit.

Spain jet crash deaths rise to 11 as French airman dies

France — Link

The airman - the ninth member of the French Air Force to die in the tragedy - suffered serious burns and died at a Madrid hospital.