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The Maltese Herald

Macron takes the solo route in global affairs

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by

Mark Camilleri
in

Still obsessed with the idea that France’s interest is more served as a single-player power in world affairs, Macron has refused to join the UK’s and US’ alliance to unblock the Red Sea from the Houthis and has instead, ordered his navy to protect only French ships. Even though the major French shipping company CMA CGM has announced it will be avoiding the Red Sea, some French cargo ships are freely passing through the Red Sea thanks to the French navy.

This kind of behaviour is typical French, but even more dangerous in today’s world of growing risks and belligerent autocrats. France needs to shed away some of its arrogance and accept the fact that we as Europeans need the US more than they need us, and they are indispensable for our security and global stability. With rising populist and fascistic politics in the US, it is even more important to show electors the benefits of the Transatlantic alliance, apart from sending a clear message to our enemies that we are united.

Macron may reasonably argue that he doesn’t want to be part of the coalition to avoid any association with Israel’s war in Gaza, but this would be self-defeating if Macron wants France to play a role in international affairs. Working with the US, France could have a greater role in helping the US restrain Netanyahu and his cabinet, and if it’s serious about human rights, even contribute to international diplomatic pressure to seek Netanyahu’s replacement. By going it alone, in any case or scenario, France will have less leverage.

On the other hand, the US is showing incredible and surprising restraint at the Houthis. This problem could be solved in a couple of hours if the US wanted, and, strangely, the US is very reluctant to use its force on an issue that basically can legally act upon, and has wide international support.

Ironically, even the Chinese are now pleading with the Houthis to stop because China, with a dwindling and slowing economy, is the most desperate to keep the Red Sea open for business.

Comments

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    […] seem to be in control of the Bab-el-Mandeb strait that opens to the Red Sea. The French navy is successfully guarding French ships that are moving through the Red […]

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    […] that’s the only way Macron can mark an effective French story in global affairs that it can go solo, without the backing of the US, and be successful in doing it. Anything less and France is still just an essential component of a […]

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    […] the strait.? The US and the UK have hit Houthi targets along the strait and the Red Sea, and the French navy is providing safe passage for French ships, but the Houthis remain clearly in control of the […]

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