From French nationalism to transnational far-right: the OAS, American intelligence, and the fight for a Western supremacy

Abstract

This study investigates the ideological and geopolitical evolution of French far-right movements during the Algerian War, with a particular focus on the influence of the Organisation Armée Secrète (OAS) and its contextualisation within the broader political and geopolitical landscape. The decolonisation of Algeria, viewed by European far-right factions as a profound challenge to the continent’s ‘civilizing’ mission and the hegemony of white Europeans, catalysed significant transformations within the French far right. This period saw a pivotal shift from a predominantly nationalist radicalism–focused on the preservation of French sovereignty and interests–towards an emergent Westernist radicalism. This new ideological orientation increasingly positioned the United States as a central actor in the global struggle against communism, as well as a primary defender of a white, Western civilisation deemed inherently superior. Through the influence of the OAS and its affiliated intellectuals, the French far right redefined its ideological framework and strategic direction in response to both global and domestic upheavals. Consequently, both internal and external factors contributing to this transformation are examined.