“Last year, Niger became the hub of France's anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel.
The mission was reconfigured after French forces quit Mali and Burkina Faso after falling out with the ruling juntas in those countries.” euronews.com/2023/07/27/nig…
I generally agree with the analysis below. But that's where 🇫🇷's mistake lies: an exclusively economic analysis.
Look at the geostrategic/military importance of controlling the heartland.
De Gaulle would spit out his coffee if you told him that Fr lost all that.
"This what Russian strategy has been in the last few years, to erode the Western influence".
„Hundreds of supporters of the coup were seen gathering and a 🇷🇺 flag was spotted in front of the National Assembly in the capital Niamey on Thursday.”
For the French analysts who don’t want to see it continue to do as if Russia had nothing to do with this (how stone-headed do you have to be):
“Down with France!”
American experts seem to be going in circles between those who want to strengthen the U.S. presence in Asia and those who want to keep a strong American presence in Europe.
2/
Instead of wondering which theater to favor or seeking to re-arm countries that do not want to take responsibility, the U.S. should support those who show initiative.
The rise of the Intermarium presents an opportunity for the U.S. to redefine its European strategy.
3/
Austria 🇦🇹: the Russian Trojan horse blocking the expansion of the Schengen area. Thread 🧵
Austria became one of Russia's closest partners in Europe, despite being part of the EU and its institutions.
1/
Austria's historical ties with Russia date back to centuries, but the post-Cold War period marked a transformation.
This relationship has largely been economic. 🇷🇺 was one of 🇦🇹's key energy providers, with Austrian businesses having significant investments in Russia.
2/
Austria's neutrality, established after WWII, allows it to be a bridge between the East and the West. While this positioning benefits diplomatic relations, critics argue that it could also facilitate Russia's influence in European affairs.
3/
#Breaking: Germany 🇩🇪 spends billions on political foundations to destroy the French 🇫🇷 nuclear industry 1/5 lexpress.fr/environnement/…
“Their weapons? Drafting documents with an anti-nuclear narrative, guiding elites through training programs - doctoral scholarships, masterclasses, etc. - visiting and meeting foreign political leaders, forming alliances with certain NGOs or environmentalist parties...”
2/5
“According to the report, the Bundestag's overall allocation to all political foundations continues to rise: €295 million in 2000, over €466 million in 2014, and €690 million by 2023!”
3/5
A few passages from a one-hour podcast about Poland, which clearly shows what the French elite think of Poland. The people who took part are very influential, especially His Excellency Pierre Buhler (probably the top French “expert” on Poland). 👇
Nicole Gnesotto (Vice-president of the Jacques Delors Institute):
"Poland is a country that condenses almost all the misfortunes of history. That doesn't make it a nice country, but it makes it a very contradictory country."
The new Commission for the Investigation of Russian Influences will probably be seen throughout the West as the model tool for getting rid of the Kremlin's tentacles, which, as we all know, are particularly knotty and difficult to untangle.
▶️danielfoubert.substack.com/p/polands-new-…
🧵 THREAD 1/
2. There is a Commission of Inquiry into the interference of foreign powers in France, but unlike the Polish Commission, it does not have the power to pass judgment in addition to its investigative powers.
3. We know the degree of Russian influence in France (it's almost everywhere), and the French Commission of Inquiry was created by Marine Le Pen's party.