What are the Core Reasons the United States has been able to Sustain Great Relations with France this Long?

SPC Andrew Griffin — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:14:21 -0500

Why does the Love for France run so Deep?

Response by PO1 Todd Cousins made Nov 24 at 2015 1:22 PM

PO1 Todd Cousins — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:22:12 -0500

I am not sure that it does. Don't get me wrong I think we see people all over the world and feel for terrible things that happen to them. I also think that it is easy to put an image of a flag behind your Facebook profile. But when it comes time to spill American blood on foreign soil many Americans will remember France's "support" of US policy in the past. After all Freedom Fries wasn't that long ago.

Response by SGT David T. made Nov 24 at 2015 1:45 PM

SGT David T. — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:45:01 -0500

Biggest reason is probably the fact that we owe them our independence.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 24 at 2015 2:51 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:51:19 -0500

SPC Andrew Griffin - First, in full disclosure, I am not unbiased in my opinions about France, as my mother was born and raised in Paris and I lived there for 14 years of my life, when my dad was assigned there at USAREUR HQ, as the Army and Defense attaché at the US Embassy, and with the American Battle Monuments Commission. It is my second home...

France and the United States have always had a special bond, going back to the Revolutionary War. We would not have won our independence from England had it not been for the help of France. We certainly paid that debt back during WWI and WWII, but our friendship has endured.

The older French people love the United States and have not forgotten what we did for their country during the World Wars. The younger generation in France, like the younger generation in the USA, have a different outlook and don't really care for tradition and history. As such, France and the USA are not nearly the allies they used to be. France has a misguided superiority complex that manifested itself when they decided to withdraw from NATO in 1966 (but rejoined in 2009 or so).

The Socialist government of France also strained relations with the USA. Now, the USA is getting to be more and more Socialist under the Obama Administration.

The USA does not look at France as an adversary and, in the overall scheme of things, I believe the relationship is strong. Having said that, because of Obama's reluctance to take a stand and support France (and the world) in a meaningful way to combat ISIS, relations with this ally may deteriorate, as the rest of our foreign relations with our allies have due to Obama's policies.

Do we have "great relations" with France? I think not. We are allies, but I would not call the relationship "great". Will our relations continue to endure? Yes, as long as we do not turn our back on them, like we are actually doing now in their time of need for our support.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 24 at 2015 3:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:14:09 -0500

The US is the leader of the Western countries and France accepts we are the preeminent imperialistic power for the West. We use our military might, other countries add portions of their military to fight with us. France was instrumental in the US winning the Revolutionary war. The more alike countries are alike generally the greater the rapport.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 24 at 2015 3:49 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:49:25 -0500

We have a great degree of tolerance for their abuse and back-stabbing. It is a case of mind over matter - if we don't mind it doesn't matter.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 24 at 2015 6:29 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:29:13 -0500

I don't know of any other Country that went Broke, Busted, Bankrupt funding our Revolution. While I think most of our Ancestors are from UK seconded by Germany I think 3rd would be French, I know my Ancestors came from all 3 countries. As a Child I was exposed to the French Language along with German. Thomas Paine left the US to go to France because he wanted to take the "Revolution" to the next level. Yeah we will always feel a Kinship with France.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 25 at 2015 1:39 AM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 01:39:52 -0500

They invented the bikini?