The United States has become an unpredictable ally, which is impacting France's interests and security, said Fabian Mandou, the French army chief of staff, on Tuesday.
“We have been surprised by our American ally, which is still an ally, but has become increasingly unpredictable, and does not bother to notify us when it decides to launch military operations,” Mando added at a security and defense forum in Paris.
He continued, "This affects our security and interests."
France and the United States are close allies in NATO, but resentment is growing in Paris over Washington's decision to wage war on Iran in the Middle East, after US President Donald Trump previously angered European allies with his ambitions regarding Greenland.
Trump criticized his allies for their unwillingness to participate in securing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which about 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes, and which constitutes a major economic artery for the Gulf states.
Mando said, “We intervened in Afghanistan at the request of the Americans, who based their intervention on Article 5 of the NATO treaty, and then chose to withdraw without informing us.”
He added, “And now they decide to intervene in the Middle East without notifying us. However, what remains important for the French armed forces is finding ways to protect French citizens passing through the region.”
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