Mr Macron’s recent blunt criticism of NATO and his imperious vision of the EU go hand in hand. Since taking office in May 2017, the French President has been advocating for the EU to enhance its cooperation on defence and security and for more fiscal integration to enhance the Eurozone bloc’s powers. Surely, this is what the EU would be in need for. But playing an active role on the international scene and being effective in delivering results is not the same, if not premature. Undoubtedly, his vision of the EU is a remarkably French one – the idea underpinning its unrequited geopolitical ambitions is that France’s interests would be better served by the combined economic weight of the Union, acting as a counterweight to the great power blocs that shape global affairs, notably the US, China and Russia. Read here the paper Macron NATO attack could backfire.
