Agence France-Presse reports: Once a source of irritation for the United States, France has nudged aside Britain to become the US military’s key European partner.”  

“The growing ties between the two militaries were on display this month when France’s top military officer, General Pierre de Villiers, hosted his US counterpart, General Martin Dempsey, aboard France’s aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.”  

“The French flagship, which arrived in the Gulf in February to take part in US-led air strikes on the Islamic State group, is operating under US command — a first for the French naval forces.”