The United States, I argued earlier, should appropriate 17.83% of Notre Dame’s reconstruction costs. Still, some suggest France doesn’t deserve that support because it’s a bad ally. Not so — and I want to explain why they’re wrong.
On the first count, I recognize France is a wealthy enough nation and doesn’t need reconstruction funding. But we should show tangible solidarity with a close ally. On the second count, France is a great American ally. Here are five recent examples of why.
1) Shared values and history: Enduring American alliances require more than shared political interests. They demand shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and a history of serving the same. In the 18th century, the French played an essential role in helping America’s revolutionaries create our nation. In the 19th century, Alexis de Tocqueville helped America understand and embrace its unique self, and France gave America our Statue of Liberty. In the 20th century, we fought two world wars to save continental Europe from imperial domination. In the 21st century, we have more than $89 billion in annual trade.
2) Military operations in Afghanistan, Syria, and in counterterrorism: Since September 2001, 86 French service personnel have given their lives alongside our own in Afghanistan. Their sacrifice is joined by hundreds of other French warriors who have been wounded in action. France has also stood by the U.S. and Britain in enforcing President Trump’s redline against the use of chemical weapons in Syria. And recall that it was France alone in 2013 that was ready to join U.S. forces in attacking Bashar Assad, until, that is, President Barack Obama abruptly canceled that operation. Today, in places such as Syria, Mali, and Somalia, French military forces continue to fight aggressively against the Islamic State and al Qaeda.
3) NATO: France spends a greater percentage of GDP than its neighbors do on defense. Also, unlike its neighbors, it supports the U.S. and Britain in underpinning capabilities against a Russian invasion, and in upholding NATO nuclear deterrence. President Emmanuel Macron has also pushed European governments to answer President Trump’s call and do more to support the crucial security alliance.
4) Intelligence support: Countering threats from Iran, China, and an array of other concerns in North Africa and the broader Middle East, France’s General Directorate for External Security intelligence service is an important American ally. Yes, like the Israeli Mossad, the French intelligence service also spies on U.S. industrial and political interests, but like Israel, France is a very valuable intelligence partner. The French intelligence services do not mess around.
5) On China: Witnessing Chinese efforts to bribe their way into degrading the Western alliance structure, Macron has sought trade links with Beijing but stood firm in defense of U.S. security concerns. That choice represents a broader theme of French military activities in support of U.S.-led international order in the Indo-Pacific. Macron is no Chancellor Angela Merkel, a leader who, as shown by her support for Russian energy blackmail, betrays alliance-based action.
So yes, put simply, the abundant evidence shows that France is an important historic and current American ally.
