Seeking "geopolitical independence", France has more than enough power

A few days ago, French President Macron showed his diplomatic ambitions in the second term. At the French ambassador meeting, he said that although France has values ​​and consensus with the United States, it will adhere to independent foreign policies, and will not choose to stand in a team, nor will he be a vassal. At the same time, Macron does not forget to call for the entire Europe to ensure that "geopolitical independence" must not be forced to choose. Instead, it should be free.

Since governing, Macron has been a firm advocate and active promoter of European strategy. In the first half of this year, as the European Union's rotating chairman, France would "revive, strong, and attachment" as the three major policy concepts, showing its ambition to lead Europe. In March of this year, the European Union quickly introduced the "Strategy of Security and Defense Strategy", which plans to build a 5,000 -person rapid reaction force, marking an important step in the EU in the field of security and defense. At the same time, France proposed the establishment of "European political community" and the construction of "new European peace", which provided a leading plan for the crisis facing Europe.

A series of measures in France in Europe's strategic autonomy represents both the strong voices of most European countries, but also expressed dissatisfaction with the United States' pursuit of unilateralist policy. However, under the challenges of the United States 'regulation, debt crisis, refugee issues, epidemic prevention and control, Brexit, German leaders' replacement, and Russia and Ukraine conflict, France promotes European strategic independent processes.

In recent years, the United States and Europe have become increasingly different from the differences in international affairs. The starting point of the United States is to maintain its global hegemon and control global order; although the EU and European countries want to enjoy the institutional dividend of the Western world, they do not support single -pole hegemony and are unwilling to choose a team in the game. Under the current international situation, when the EU and European countries are dealing with international affairs related to their own interests, they often "can't help themselves" and are tied to the "American chariot". But whenever the United States and Europe contradict, the United States often sacrifice European interests without hesitation. Last year, the United States did not notify European allies to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. It also made European countries aware of the necessity of accelerating strategic autonomy in the Australian submarine procurement.

However, it is impossible for the United States to do it for Europe's promotion of strategic autonomy. Under the existing security defense system in NATO, the EU and European countries are currently unable to set aside the United States and build a truly independent defense system. Therefore, the United States uses some European countries' dependence on its security protection to leave the European Union and European countries.

In this context, France has always hoped to play the role of "designer" of European integration and put forward some European strategic independent claims with French characteristics. However, in order to achieve these claims, France will face many severe challenges.

First, Macron must give priority to solving the problem of matching France's ability and willingness. The French election has revealed a phenomenon: compared to international affairs such as European strategy, most French people are more concerned about the physical problems of domestic economy, society, and people's livelihood. If France wants to play a role at the European level, it is necessary to solve the domestic problems in the final analysis. Only by dealing with the problems of domestic reform and development and enhancing economic competitiveness and social vitality can France achieve the matching of its national strength and the goals of the great powers.

In addition, France must achieve internal unity in Europe on the basis of strengthening the French axis. At present, the Nordic, Southern European, and Central and Eastern European countries have different concerns. Although the French -German coordination mechanism is playing a role, the differences between the two countries on some specific issues are getting bigger and bigger.

Therefore, the European strategic leader is far away, and France is inadequate and insufficient for "geopolitical independence". (Jia Ping ordinary)

Original title: France is seeking "geopolitical independence" and lack of power (viewing table)

"People's Daily Overseas Edition" (September 13, 2022)

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