France announces withdrawal from NATO’s integrated military command (remains a political member).

On March 10, 1966, France, under President Charles de Gaulle, announced its withdrawal from NATO’s integrated military command structure. This decision marked a significant moment in the alliance’s history, as France remained a founding member of NATO but chose to assert greater national military independence. De Gaulle’s move was driven by a desire to ensure France could make sovereign decisions in matters of defense, particularly in the context of nuclear strategy, without being bound by NATO’s collective command. France's withdrawal did not mean a complete exit from NATO. The country continued to participate politically in the alliance, attending NATO meetings and supporting the principle of collective defense outlined in Article 5 of the NATO treaty. However, it no longer placed its forces under NATO command or hosted NATO headquarters and personnel on French soil. The decision also led to the relocation of NATO’s headquarters from Paris to Brussels, Belgium. For several decades, France maintained its separate military posture while still cooperating with NATO on various levels. Over time, France gradually reintegrated into NATO’s military structures through practical cooperation, joint exercises, and operational participation. This period of semi-detachment officially ended in 2009 when France fully returned to NATO’s military command, reflecting a shift in strategic priorities and reaffirming its commitment to transatlantic security cooperation.