this. they talk about nukes for that reason, to act as a shield. however, that also isn't compatible with our nuclear doctrine. france has very few nukes comparatively, so our nuclear doctrine has always been that it's a weapon of last resort, so that "they can destroy us but we can bomb moscow -- that'll make them think" in the words of de gaulle. it can't be employed for anything else that the survival of the nation, or else it'mas not credible.
France