[Dog Gone]

They're signatories to the NATO charter mutual-defense pact but withdrew from the integrated command structure four decades ago.

France rejoined in the 1990s. For what it's worth today...

[AntiGuv]

I was under the impression that France had reengaged with limited participation in SHAPE and CINCEUR after 1996, but that they had not moved beyond the initial stages. To answer the other question, I don't think France should exercise anything more than limited observer status within NATO military decisions so long as they remain apart from the military command structure.