De Gaulle: a political example that should inspire Europe today?

[Julie07]

[Curmudgeon]

Well I have said before that DeGaulle, at least from an American perspective, was someone who did not play well with the team. However, I give him credit for his "almost every Frenchman was in the Resistance" narrative. I cannot blame DeGaulle for wanting a comforting narrative for France to heal the postwar wounds to the French psyche.

I am, however, glad that former French president Nicolas Sarkozy reversed de Gaulle’s decision and rejoined the NATO military command in 2009.

But to be fair, should the NATO military command structure be reorganized a bit? The Supreme Commander of NATO (#1) has always been an American General or Admiral, and the Deputy Commander of NATO (#2) has always been a British General or Admiral. Might it be France's turn to have one of theirs in the Deputy Commander position?

[RavVid]

Well he did start the fore runner of the EU and an iron union as I remember. He met with a German representative who expected to get roughed up but Charles was quite urban... from memory.

So I would say yes.

[FreyaRed]

France bombing Gaddafi 2011 while having bombs for one week was display why De Gaulle's ideology is a pile of sh... In being together lies the power military alliances, it's the power projection.
Nato as organization forces a country to nothing. Article 5 doesn't say you're are obliged to anything either. Obligatory 2% of budget for defense is literally nothing.

[Julie07]

Thanks for the laugh.

[FreyaRed]

it was sarcastic

[AviatorTom]

It's unfortunate that Charles deGaulle is the best leader France has had since the French Revolution, two and a half centuries ago.

[DryGermanGuy]

For his postwar efforts of creating a more unified and peaceful Europe, yes. 👍

[Anonymous]

If he saw France today he would have wished the Nazis won ww2.

[Jersey2]

He was a twat. Same with Montgomery.

[Julie07]

I thank God that you are on this site, you make it so much more funny

[_Troian_]

Napoleon Bonaparte should

[Julie07]

France's domination of Europe, good idea haha

[_Troian_]

You would love this and feel proud

[Julie07]

Haha, that's true, but De Gaulle's vision is more modern.

"It turns out that France is the only country that wants a Europe that is truly European, that is capable of wanting it. Our European partners are more conciliatory than we are towards Britain and America, for one simple reason: they cannot even imagine not bowing to the slightest pressure from Washington. The tragedy of Europe is that, apart from us, no one else has the ambition to be truly European.

"America is trying to dominate Europe, just as it seeks to dominate Latin America and Southeast Asia. Whether it likes it or not, America has now become a global hegemonic power.

[Dargil]

Yes. He would send the Saracens home.

[noohair]

He was an assho! e. He hated the US...

[Julie07]

No. ...

[eagle1951]

really?

[Julie07]

Yeah