ABSTRACT
The French corps in Germany contributes to Central European defense, but under the authority of France's chief of staff, who reports directly to the president of the Republic, and to the French government. France may also betray a heightened skepticism about cross-stationing, with its implied reciprocity, since the logic of its own deployment in Germany has been to contribute to the creation of a European defense entity. The question of French forces stationed in Germany can be summarized by a few basic principles, well beyond the reach of ideological discourse. The permanent stationing of French troops on German soil, should it occur, will depend on a number of factors, including the restructuring of the French armed forces outlined in the "Armees 2000" plan, as well as the political will of Germany to continue hosting foreign so.
