Alex Christoforou
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Emmanuel Macron’s speech where the French President unveiled his nuclear doctrine advocating for a more coordinated European Union defence strategy in which France, the EU’s only post-Brexit nuclear power, and its arsenal holding a central role.
Macron warned all those in attendance that the European Union ‘cannot remain spectators’ in the nuclear arms race.
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With UK Out, Macron Unveils ‘nuclear Weapons Doctrine’ With France Leading An EU Army by The Duran
The Duran Quick Take: Episode 469. The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Emmanuel Macron’s speech where the French President unveiled his nuclear doctrine advocating for a more coordinated European Union defence strategy in which France, the EU’s only post-Brexit nuclear power, and its arsenal holding a central role.
In a much anticipated speech to military officers graduating in Paris, Macron called on EU member states to play a more direct role in halting a new nuclear arms race, saying they “cannot remain spectators” against a threat to the continent’s collective security.
“In the absence of a legal framework, they could rapidly face a new race for conventional weapons, even nuclear weapons, on their own soil,” said Macron.
Setting out his country’s nuclear strategy in a bid to show leadership a week after nuclear-armed Britain officially exited the EU, Macron highlighted how France sees its nuclear weapons as a deterrent against attacks from belligerent foes.
Macron’s speech comes at a time when long-standing accords on limiting the growth of nuclear arsenals appear increasingly at risk.
The US and Russia have abandoned the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, each blaming the other for breaching its limits, and Washington is threatening to quit the New START arms reduction treaty when it expires next year.
Add to that China’s bid for global sway, there is a strong need for Europe to ensure it does not find itself in the middle of a Cold War-style standoff “which could jeopardise the peace obtained after so many tragedies on our continent”, Macron said.
He warned of “the possibility of a pure and unrestrained military and nuclear competition, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the end of the 1960s”.
“The vital interests of France now have a European dimension,” said Macron, circling back to his central message of a need for a more coordinated European defence policy.
European nations should also insist on being signatories of any new deal to limit the development of new intermediate-range weapons, he noted. “Let us be clear: if negotiations and a more comprehensive treaty are possible… Europeans must be stakeholders and signatories, because it’s our territory” that is most at risk.
Waning US engagement and NATO ‘brain death’
Friday’s speech was part of Macron’s long-running push for a stronger European defence, as US President Donald Trump has pulled away from European allies and admonished other NATO members for not paying more for their own protection.
Macron himself ruffled feathers last year when he noted that the lack of US leadership is causing the “brain death” of the military alliance.
Élysée on Twitter: “EN DIRECT | Discours du Président @EmmanuelMacron sur la stratégie de défense et de dissuasion depuis l’École militaire. https://t.co/PfYQShLHV2 / Twitter”
EN DIRECT | Discours du Président @EmmanuelMacron sur la stratégie de défense et de dissuasion depuis l’École militaire. https://t.co/PfYQShLHV2
Reduced number of warheads and disarmament
France has already reduced the number of its warheads to under 300, Macron said, giving it “the legitimacy to demand concrete moves from other nuclear powers toward global disarmament that is gradual, credible and can be verified”.
But he stopped short of offering to share France’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, a pillar of its security strategy since implemented by Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s.
Germany in particular remains strongly opposed to atomic weapons, although a leader in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party, Johann Wadephul, said this week that Paris should consider putting its arsenal under the auspices of the EU or NATO.
Macron invited European partners to engage in a “strategic dialogue” on the deterrent role of France’s nuclear capacity as the country embarks on a costly modernisation of its arsenal.
“Our independence in terms of decision-making is fully compatible with an unshakeable solidarity with our European partners,” Macron said.
Macron also warned of the need for “a greater capacity for autonomous action by Europeans”, who must step up their military spending.
“Why are they not ready to make defence a budget priority and make the necessary sacrifices, even as the risks are growing?” Macron asked.
‘Restore trust with Russia’
His speech came as a diplomatic freeze between the EU and Russia since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine has rekindled fears of fresh conflict along Europe’s eastern flank.
France has broken with some EU nations by recently reaching out to restore dialogue with President Vladimir Putin, who controls the world’s largest nuclear arsenal.
“There can be no defence and security project for European citizens without a political vision that seeks to progressively restore trust with Russia,” Macron said.
“We cannot accept the current situation, where the chasm deepens and talks diminish even as the security issues that need to be addressed with Moscow are multiplying.”
Macron did not specify whether Britain, Europe’s other nuclear power, should be part of the deeper EU cooperation now that is has quit the bloc.
But he noted that “since 1995, France and the United Kingdom have stated clearly there is no situation in which a threat to one’s vital interests would not also be a threat to the other’s.”
“Brexit doesn’t change this at all.”
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Well I’m glad the Duran thinks the UK has left the EU bcause from what I’m seeing, that is far from the case. It is being pressured to opt back into all sorts of things and if Johnson agrees, it would be left in a worse state than ever, tied to something the British people have adamantly rejected but this time with no representation. So far it’s Brexit without the exit.
Darling, we are out and it was placed in UK law, on 31 January 2020. We are going through the divorce settlement. The EU believe they can dictate, but, if nothing agreed by November, then UK leaves, hard BREXIT and terms set by WTO tariffs. Like the EU, the UK is also a member of the WTO, whether the EU likes it or not. Wonder who will be the next to leave the EU?
I admire you, in the UK, for being able to have done it. The French are fighting and fighting to get out of EU, but no go!
Ridiculous! France is being made a laughing-stock.
This is France today! Firefighters fighting against police, 28th of January 2020, in Paris.
Street fights and demonstrations against Macron in Paris, 12th of January 2020.
Nigel Farage says that Marine Le Pen will be French President in 2022:
Things have hit a new low for Macron where his candidate for mayor of Paris has had to drop out of the election with one month to go, after a video appeared on the net of him w*nking to entertain a lady friend who was not the mother of his three children. Come on Rory, you can do better than that!
Yes the dick pic candidate was not a good choice. All of France is laughing about him. This Griveaux chap, a married man, preaching “family values” but sendind dick pics to his one night stands. Hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
What a tosser.
Yes, really an impossible man. A teenager, not really a man, although 42 years old, married and three children! Infantile as can be …
RT FRANCE: Russian artist Piotr Pavlenski about Macron’s candidate Benjamin Griveaux: “He is someone who is constantly talking about family values, who says that he wants to be the mayor of families and always cites his wife and children as an example. But what he does in secret is quite the opposite,” added the Russian national. The nationality of Piotr Pavlenski was also the source of wild rumours. Some have jumped at the chance to suggest that the controversial artist could be guided by Moscow. And this, despite the fact that he is… a public opponent of Vladimir Putin. Paris… Read more »
Doesn’t Sorass fund and encourage the Russian opposition? No doubt Maccron has upset Sorass and friends, wanting to get close to Russia and not Sorass friends.
That could very well be. Macron seems to be caught between the frontlines East-West.
“The independent economy needs a market share in order to function. In the modern market, this quota stands at 600 million people. To reach a minimum quota, the world has to be reorganized financially into blocks, with each block using its own regional currency. The following proposals are already on the table, although publicly, the subject is taboo. Economic areas: Group 1: USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and possibly Mexico, which would allow it to reach 600 million inhabitants. Currency, US dollar. Group 2: Russia is divided by the Urals into a Western Russia (Russia, Turkey, Iran – former Soviet… Read more »
UK with Arab nations??????? How does that work? Are we being kicked out of ‘5 Eyes’ with Mexico taking our place?
Nigel Farage interviews Marine Le Pen about French sovereignty, Frexit and getting rid of the Euro:
Nigel Farage compares the EU to Mafia:
Benjamin Griveaux steps down as candidate for the post of Paris Mayor. His tone, facial expression and gestures have drastically changed. This immature boy has finally woken up. No more cocky cockerel dreams and penis pics on Internet! Will Paris finally get a respectable person as Mayor, with a sense of duty and reliability for the millions of inhabitants in the French capital ?
Readers comments on the above video:
Marie-Odile S: “Il est moins arrogant tout d’un coup, ça le change. Rip.” – “He is less arrogant, all of a sudden. He has changed. Rip.”
Valdez: “Il voulait remporter les érections …” – “He wanted to win the erections …”
French citizens are greatly amused by this magnificent spectacle. Could not be any better on Valentine Day!
Tell the French the Germans are marching on Paris. They’ll have surrendered by breakfast.
Germany was demilitarised, so cannot have or use heavy weapons, unless working with others. So how come the German politician is saying what Germany should do with their nukes? They are not German’s, just held in storage. Like Ukraine kept the Soviet nukes in storage. They were not the property of Ukraine. How many nuclear deterrent submarines has France got? Isn’t it 4 aged old bombers, due to be replaced? They are not a nuclear triad nation with nuclear capability in land or air, are they? How many attack nuclear subs do France have? Is it between 4-6? The rest… Read more »
One wonders why any European nation would want trouble with Russia. The western part of the Russian Federation lies in Europe, and Russians love Europe. Why are they always insulted in such a rude way? It is the EU dictatorial beaurocracy that wants to alienate Russia.