A French military mission has been actively lobbying in Washington recently, that NATO Deputy Commander position should be manned by their country, instead of United Kingdom as it has been the case since WWII. All that linked to incoming Brexit and future position of UK in Europe, of course.
An article in the Times yesterday was quite elaborate in convincing the (British) readers that it shouldn't happen, and that UK was still the leading military power in Europe (despite the lack of nuclear bombers, independent nuclear forces, maritime patrol aircraft, aircraft carriers, overseas bases..)
The French by contrast were pointing their own capabilities, and especially the ones missing above, their African operations throughout the continent, overseas territories, and general international commitments for the past 40 years. Be sure that our Parliament voting against military action Syria (August 30th, 2013) didn't improve our perception as a reliable ally by the US, to the contrary of France (BTW, the French found themselves suddenly isolated with their bombers ready to go, as B. Obama also decided to back-pedal ...)
Syria: John Kerry slaps Britain in face as he calls France 'oldest allies' - Telegraph
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (NATO) has been French five-stars General Denis Mercier since March 2015.