The inability of the United States to establish a military base in France also became an embarrassment for the United States after the Cold War. Although coercion and temptation have exhausted all means, France just refused to allow US troops to enter the country. So, what is it that gives France such confidence?
First of all, France itself has a strong military force and does not need to rely on the US military to protect itself. The French are extremely sensitive to maintaining their independence and sovereignty, and do not want to turn their territory into a US military garrison and lose control of their own security. France's former ** Charles de Gaulle emphasized that they want to maintain France's independence, and they must have their own voice and not be influenced by any country.
Secondly, France and the United States have differences in political and military philosophy. France emphasizes its own national defense policy and does not want to rely too much on the United States to maintain its own security. Historically, disputes and frictions between France and the United States have also made France wary of the United States. De Gaulle** believed that the presence of US troops was detrimental to France's defense and national interests, and he was unwilling to let France become a puppet of the United States. Therefore, in 1966, France decisively withdrew from NATO and demanded that the US military get out of France.
In the end, the United States did not dare to offend France, also because of its own extraordinary strength. France has its own nuclear **, nuclear aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, which are able to defend its rights and interests. The French nation has a strong sense of self-esteem, and the people are also strongly opposed to the presence of American troops, so if the United States offends France, it may not only lose a France, but also a greater European power. France is also a member of the European Union and NATO, and if the United States offends France, it may lose more European partners.
Although France does not allow the presence of American troops, France and the United States have maintained cooperation in other areas. Under the framework of NATO, the two countries have carried out extensive military cooperation and jointly participated in a number of international peacekeeping operations. In addition, the two countries also have close ties and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, and culture.
In general, France, as the only Western power that does not allow US troops to be stationed, has won the respect of the international community by adhering to its independent national defense policy and defending its sovereignty. While there may be more pressures and challenges ahead, France's stance on the presence of U.S. troops may not change easily. While safeguarding its own rights and interests and independence, France is still willing to cooperate with the United States in other fields to maintain regional and global peace and stability.