1/ Macron's interview is generating an incredible amount of controversy, esp. in the US. A great opportunity to finally start an honest discussion about the REAL state of Europe & transatlantic relation, rather than bury our heads deeper into the sand. 👇
economist.com/europe/2019/11…
economist.com/europe/2019/11…
2/ He describes the same political reality he has been depicting consistently for the last 2 years, which is hardly controversial: US strategy towards Europe is evolving, a new balance of power is emerging, and Europeans are at risk of becoming marginalized unless they step up.
3/ Of course, it is more comfortable to keep saying "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds", pretend that we don't see current changes, or that they will have no consequences.
But the fact is: deers who freeze in the headlights usually end up dead.
But the fact is: deers who freeze in the headlights usually end up dead.
4/ The controversial "brain dead"? Harsh words, but I have not attended a single conference on NATO that did not come to that conclusion: NATO's institutions, daily activities and cooperation (its body) are fine but there is a fundamental issue at the political level (its brain).
5/ Don't buy the lazy arguments that this is about undermining NATO at the benefit of the EU (Macron literally says that European defense can only be complementary to NATO), or de Gaulle legacy (not very compatible with hoping for the US to be ultimate guarantor...).
6/ So if it's not about the message, is it about the way it is brought forward? Ahead of the NATO London meeting, in such a spectacular manner?
This is a fair criticism, but two elements should be taken into account:
This is a fair criticism, but two elements should be taken into account:
7/ More traditional approaches to kickstart a strategic discussion about Europe's strategic interests and the future of the transatlantic relation have produced little result. The 🇫🇷 phone has been ringing a lot in various European capitals, but has rarely been picked up...
8/ Maybe the form is as important as the substance. If Europeans want to be at the table rather than on the menu of great power competition , maybe they should start being vocal about what they want. France just did that, it will be interesting to see the responses from over 🇪🇺.
