Speaking of “of the era” techno-thrillers wasnt there a book in the early 90s of the United States and France going to war with one another? I love when authors think up absurd scenarios seriously because they just can’t rehash the same potential wars over and over again, like Clancy’s war with Japan 2.0 in Debt of Honor.
Yes there was. A French/German superstate was getting in our faces, so Boom! I read it but obviously didn’t remember the author. Larry Bond, maybe.
ETA: Bingo! Cauldron by Larry Bond.