Quatre Efff: France's Foreign Friendships Fueds

Marine Le pen’s interview with Euronews on December 1^st was – unfortunately – impressive. The notorious leader of the anti-EU Front Nationale, who never shies away from protecting the French identity and interests at any cost – is an important contender for the presidential elections set for 2014. Her stances on the international and regional spheres were clear, direct and confidant. Her over-confidence and conviction in what she stands for and how she will translate these convictions into policies pose a challenge to the consistence of France’s foreign policy. Incremental politics? No cheri.

Le Pen said in her interview that she admires Putin’s “cool head”. She acknowledged that there is a cold war being waged against him by the EU at the behest of United States, defending the rights of Crimean citizens to take back the 1954 gift and return it to its natural owners and condemning the ousting of Viktor Yanukovich and the illegitimate government that came after the putsch. In the calm Middle Eastern front, Le Pen also questioned the validity of French intervention in the war against the ISIS (ISIL), and categorically refused to join a coalition that has Saudi Arabia and Qatar as members, considering that they are one of the financers of Islamic fundamentalism. And finally, Le Pen said straight out: “I doubt everything the Americans say. Is that clear? Whatever the Americans say is questionable”.

These positions reflect absolute divergence from the current French foreign policy, a policy that is accepted and supported by the majority of the French people. Despite opposition, the French people elected a legislature and a president who took certain stances on foreign affairs, assuming that such policies defend the French interests and ideals. When the Peace Camp military base was inaugurated by Sarkozy, it reflected France’s commitment to help defend Arab Gulf countries against an Iranian attack and is still serving France’s foreign relations in its use as a base for France’s participation in the US-led anti-ISIS coalition in Iraq. Moreover, it is a clear message to the USA that Franc is on-board to fight terrorism and is committed to establishing security of the region. France and Saudi Arabia also cooperate on a number of files, whether in commercial relations, diplomatic relations or common interest in the Syrian file. This fanatical terrorism financing cleric regime is not as monstrous as Le Pen paints it be, at least in Holland’s eyes. On the Russian front, France condemned Russia’s stance and acts in Crimea, and joined the EU /NATO coalition against the Russian bear.

Should Le Pen be elected as president in two years time, a major shift in foreign policy is expected. And so is confusion. However, I don’t know who would be more confused, the international community or the French themselves.