[mdmathis6]

The French have Nuclear weapons as well as submarine based ones...they could do damage to us them-selves!

[TN4Liberty]

True, the French are a significant nuclear power. When we discuss things like missle defense, I find it interesting that people only want to talk about the current threat (e.g., North Korea) and ignore the fact that in less than a generation, enemies can become friends and friends can become enemies. In the Middle East, these changes in alliances can take place in months.

It makes sense to have the ability to protect yourself from anyone, not just your current adversaries. I don't want to be in a position to have to trust the French, the Germans, the Canadians, even the Brits. If we are strong, we can choose to trust them as it suits us.

[CWOJackson]

I'm not too sure their subs are any better then their one carrier...which has a tremendous carrier in port broken down.

When we started moving towards Iraq the French deployed it and it was thought perhaps the French would position it to try and hamper our operations. It was underway two days before it had to return to port for major problems.