... trade and production, the logistical chains for which were created during the globalization boom and have qualitatively transformed the economy. They are extremely painful to break. And the second is a unified information field, thanks to ‘nationally neutral’ communications giants.
But there is something strange that separates us. It is not a desire to grab more of the pie – in the sense of what Lenin called the expansionist
“imperialist predators”
– but rather a sense of internal vulnerability ...
... in parliament. According to some of the more dramatic predictions, a “technocratic” cabinet of experts with no clear party affiliation could emerge.
This would be a natural consequence of the country’s development over the past few decades, as France has moved into the “Southern Europe” category in socio-economic assessments.
A non-partisan, expert-led government under a president with little public support would be an expected step towards loss of sovereignty, not only in foreign policy but also in domestic affairs. The cabinet,...
... their financial standing. “Rather than part to the feast with a fool, better in difficulty with the wise” – Romanian folk saying.
Inconsistencies: Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi ? … manifest themselves as trust breakers. Illustratively: in the EU, France and Germany were imposing a 3% budget deficit maximum, while themselves were not capable of taming their own budgets. Similarly, today only naïve EU countries sanction Russia, the sanction-initiators themselves having found finance intermediaries ...
... in the region.
Additionally, history itself is partly responsible in explaining France’s role in the region, notably with its protection of Armenians and the denunciation of the Armenian genocide.
In this context, it is understandable to question France’s neutrality in the mediation process as it is clear that the vast Armenian diaspora in France has some influence to push for French support towards Armenia or, at least, recurring condemnation of Azerbaijani actions. This support can be seen through the ...
... organizations
- would avoid Russia’s isolation
- This would increase the exchanges between the EU and Russia and potentially lay down the stepping stones towards a trade facilitation deal and ultimately a free-trade zone through-out the whole of Eurasia.
To conclude, France keeps an objective point of view on the conflict. Its only aim is the resolution of the conflict and the protection of the integrity of the territory of Ukraine and of its citizens. If it advocates European values in Ukraine, France is not in favour ...
This was written as the Paris attacks unfolded. I have preserved the unfolding nature of the original piece to connect the reader in a deeper sense to what I was feeling as I wrote this.
As this historic terrorist attack unfolds, France, Europe, the West, and the Middle East need to really think about what they've been doing and what they are about to do before doing it. This is a time to be smart, but it is also a time to marginalize unhelpful, myopic voices, be they those of ...
... is an observer member to the Arctic Council, which enables the country to assist to all the Council’s meetings, participate in the work of AC Working Groups, and submit statements at ministerial meetings. France is also a member of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council.
France’s interests in the Arctic can be split into three categories:
1) Energy projects.
2) Scientific and environmental activities: France has a permanent presence in Svalbard archipelago via the scientific research bases Charles Rabot and Jean ...
