In Europe, there is one country that has neither bowed to the United States nor allowed the American military to set foot on its soil: France, known as the "Gallic rooster".
The story has to start with the post-World War II international landscape. At that time, the shadow of the Cold War hung over the world, the United States and the Soviet Union faced each other, and Europe became the front line. To counter the Soviet threat, the United States led the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), intending to tie the countries of Western Europe firmly to its chariot.
France, a country with a long history and culture, is not willing to completely submit to the will of the United States. In particular, under the leadership of President Charles de Gaulle, France began a series of diplomatic and military independence actions.
President de Gaulle was an iron-fisted man who was well aware of the importance of the dignity and sovereignty of a country. He was not accustomed to NATO's military intervention in member states, and he was even more reluctant to make France a vassal of the United States. As a result, he made a surprising decision - to withdraw from NATO's military integration body, and at the same time to demand the withdrawal of US troops from France.
This decision shocked the world and caught the United States off guard. You know, the United States at that time was trying to strengthen its influence in Europe through NATO. But this move by de Gaulle undoubtedly gave the United States a resounding slap in the face.
Why is France so emboldened? It turned out that France had always maintained a high degree of autonomy militarily. Not only does it have a strong army and air force, but it also has a strong navy. What's more, France is one of the few countries that possess nuclear weapons, which undoubtedly increases its voice in the international arena.
In addition to its military power, France also has a pivotal position in the fields of economy, science and technology, and culture. It is home to many world-renowned businesses and brands, such as Airbus, Danone, etc. These companies have a strong competitiveness in the global market and bring a steady stream of wealth to France.
It is thanks to these solid foundations that France has been able to remain independent and autonomous in the international arena. It is not allied with any great power and does not bow to any external pressure. This spirit of independence has made France a unique presence in Europe and the world.
At this point, you may ask: what is the current relationship between France and the United States? Although the two countries have differences on some issues, the relationship between them is generally stable. After all, in today's globalized world, no country can be completely isolated from the world.
But in any case, France has always maintained its independence and sovereignty. Like a proud "Gallic rooster", it stands tall on the land of Europe.
Now let's answer the opening question: Why did France keep American troops from stationing? The answer is simple, that is, because France has enough strength and confidence to maintain its sovereignty and independence. It does not rely on any external forces and is not afraid of any threats and challenges.
French hard! The U.S. military has never been stationed, who gives the confidence?
Let's start with the post-World War II international landscape. As the main battlefield of World War II, the post-war situation in Europe was complex and changeable, and the struggle for hegemony between the United States and the Soviet Union made this continent the frontier of the Cold War. To fend off the potential threat of the Soviet Union, the United States led the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in an attempt to unite the countries of Europe under its command.
But in this current of "unity", there is one country that stands out as a maverick – and that is France. Unlike other countries that have joined NATO and allowed US troops to be stationed in search of asylum, France has always adhered to its independent position, and even withdrew from NATO's military integration body for a time, let alone allowed US troops to set up bases on its territory. Why is that? Who gave France such a hard heart? The answer lies in France's own strength and strong spirit of independence.
First, let's take a look at France's military prowess. As a nuclear-armed country, France has a considerable degree of deterrence militarily. Its army, navy, and air force are well-equipped and well-trained to meet various security challenges. In addition, France is also strong in weapons development and manufacturing, such as its famous Rafale fighter jet.
In addition to its military strength, France also has a pivotal position in the fields of economy, science and technology, and culture. It has one of the world's highest gross domestic product (GDP) and is home to many world-class companies and innovative technologies. All these have provided France with a solid material foundation and development momentum.
More importantly, the French people are well aware of the value of independence and freedom. They have suffered from foreign aggression and oppression in history, so they cherish their sovereignty and independence even more. In the hearts of the French, the dignity and honour of the state are paramount, and no external forces will be allowed to interfere in their internal affairs or infringe on their sovereignty.
It is this unwavering spirit of independence and strong strength that has enabled France to maintain its position and voice on the international stage. It is not afraid of power and threats, and always sticks to its own bottom line and principles.
This stubbornness of France is not blind and isolated. It was well aware that in the current context of globalization, cooperation and exchanges between countries were essential. Therefore, while safeguarding its independence, France also actively participates in international affairs and multilateral cooperation mechanisms, and strives to contribute to world peace and development.