France De Gaulle and NATO

<p>In 2003 Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) highlighted the perplexing differences since the end of World War II in foreign policy objectives between the United States and France. Many in the US felt France's position was a betrayal by France to the ally that had for several decades been the predominate force in securing and guaranteeing France's security during the Cold War. Anger and bewilderment in the US was manifest in editorials talk shows and even in books following President Chirac's decision not to support the Bush administration's course of action to resolve the perceived growing crisis in Iraq. Why would France choose such a course of action that was seemly against not only the US but also other allies? Was that decision an anomaly or a plausible lucid choice? More important is there a pattern in French policy that makes its relations with the primary security arrangement in Europe NATO more predictable or is the US and France entering a new phase in the relationship?</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>