I think Josh Marshall is right that the French reaction to Australia's decision to buy American subs instead of French ones is a part of France refusing to acknowledge that they are no longer a great power. Some of this wedges into Macron's desire to create a European Defense Force separate from the American led NATO. He will use Afghanistan (for some reason) and this deal (makes sense) to argue that Europe should have defensive capabilities separate from the US.
The problem, of course, is that the reason Australia is buying US subs is because they are much better and actually cheaper. It would be like agreeing with the auto dealer to buy a bunch of Hyundais, then find out they will only come it in next year and the price will double. And then Tesla agrees to sell you a car for half the price. If Europe wants a defense force, it will have to subsidize a massive increase in military technology that the US currently dominates the world in.
As Marshall notes, France stopped being a "Great Power" in the 1950s, but they - like the British - don't accept that. Poking Uncle Sam in the eye is a great vote getter.
Frankly, if I'm Biden, I agree to buy the French subs to salve French pride. Then - once you've gotten them - give them to Mexico and (in a move to mess with the French) Vietnam. Those are also strategic partners against China, plus it's hilarious.
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