"If the goal was to build a unified and capable coalition of countries to deter aggression from π¨π³ and defend a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, alienating and excluding π«π· was incredibly short-sighted". π― piece by @Brad_L_Bowman & @MarkCMontgomery defenseone.com/ideas/2021/09/β¦
"France brings both the desire and ability to help defend these common interests with Washington. From a military perspective, the French are more present and active in the Indo-Pacific than any other European power."
"In formulating AUKUS, the Biden admin should have taken these realities into account and found a way to include France in the agreement. That would have been respectful of the centuries-long U.S.-France alliance and would have advanced shared interests in the Indo-Pacific."
"Paris is sending its ambassador back to Washington. Thatβs good news. Now begins the real work for the United States and its democratic allies: partnering to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, which continues to erode."
French foreign minister @JY_LeDrian testified yesterday at a French Senate hearing on the implications of #AUKUS. An important discussion with French Senators which will be followed by other hearings. A 𧡠on the main highlights π
First, minister Le Drian presented in detail the Franco-Australian Future Submarine Program. An intergovernmental agreement was signed in December 2016 and then a Strategic Partnering Agreement in February 2019.
The production was supposed to start in 2023 and the first submarine to be delivered by 2033/2034. Le Drian noted that the program included an industrial partnership with the U.S. with Lockheed Martin in charge of the weapon system.
This piece by @AlbertoNardelli tackles an important topic (European technological sovereignty) but is mixing up very different issues in a misleading way. A short π§΅π bloomberg.com/news/articles/β¦
First, the article dismisses, without any true counterpoint, the arguments in favor of greater technological independence and resilience.
This not about internal quarrels within the EU institutions, nor about a French lone crusade for a protectionist European economy.
[Thread] So, President Biden and President Macron finally talked after days of severe diplomatic tensions between Washington and Paris. A few thoughts on the outcome of this much expected conversation and the next steps.
First, the fact that the White House took the initiative of this call and that President Biden himself recognized that things could have been handled differently is positive in itself and was a first essential step to restore a dialogue with France.
With hindsight, Paris was right to take these strong diplomatic moves, often described as over the top, to make the Biden administration understand the gravity of the crisis (which was not the case at all at first).
As outlined in this @POLITICOEurope piece by @RymMomtaz, President Macron expects two things from his call with President Biden.
First, a recognition by Washington that its decision not to consult Paris "raises questions of trust". politico.eu/article/macronβ¦
Second, the initiation of a "solid process over time and at a high level to create the conditions to restore trust through actions and concrete measures, not just words".
Paris will notably ask the πΊπΈ to recognize (1) "the strategic importance of π«π· and πͺπΊ engagement in the Indo-Pacific", (2) "the necessity of reinforcing European sovereignty"; (3) a "common commitment in the fight against terrorism".
"Canberra did not understand the impact of its decision [#AUKUS], either in France or on international efforts to form a united front against the rise of China".
"The decision of the Scott Morrison government violates the spirit and the letter of the strategic partnership adopted by France and Australia".
"Australia made the mistake of not giving France the opportunity to submit another offer (in part or in full) for these nuclear devices, even though France has a long experience in their manufacture".
I don't agree with your reading of Le Drian's interview. Over the past few years, France has been very supportive of Australia's strategic interests in the region, both diplomatically and militarily.
Diplomatically, Paris has stood with Canberra when it was under the pressure of China. See for instance this press conference during which Pres. Macron told PM Morrison that France "firmly rejects any coercive economic measure taken against Australia".
Similarly, there has been a growing π«π·π¦πΊ diplomatic convergence to denounce China's aggressive posture, as witnessed in their bilateral declaration of August 30 (with very strong words on Taiwan, the South China Sea, human rights violations).