4. France Withdraws from NATO Military Command (1966)
In 1966, French President Charles de Gaulle withdrew France from NATO’s integrated military command structure, seeking greater national sovereignty and independence. This decision led to the relocation of NATO’s political headquarters from Paris to Brussels and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) from Paris to Casteau, Belgium. Despite this withdrawal, France remained a member of the alliance and continued to participate in its political activities. France rejoined NATO’s integrated military command in 2009 (nato.int).
