Baptism by Fire of Francois Hollande
The year of 2013 has started with an acute escalation of the situation in Mali. After a military coup in March 2012 the North of the country was captured by Toureg-separatists from the National Liberation Movement of Azawad (NLMA). Having used disorganization and weakness of governmental troops, the rebels proclaimed an independent state of Azawad along the territory, comparable in sizes with France. Already in summer 2012 contradictions between moderate separatists and radical Islamists among rebelled Toureg escalated. As a result the power was transferred to the Islamists from the groupings of Ansar al-Din (“Faith defenders”) and Al-Qaeda of Islamic Magrheb. READ MORE
Mali Intervention Exposes Europe’s Security Shortcomings
Since the intervention in Libya in 2011, which highlighted strong dissensions between France and Germany in the conduct of military engagement, Europeans have been waiting for a new opportunity to prove they could unite around a common objective, away from Brussels and the near-constant series of crisis meetings. READ MORE
Presidential Summit Drives Kazakhstani-French Relations Forward
During his recent visit to France on November 21–23, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev met with his counterpart Francois Hollande for the first time since Hollande became French president in May 2012. The successful encounter showed that Hollande wants to continue the high level of cooperation between the two countries that his predecessor, Nicholas Sarkozy, had initiated (Tengri News, November 22). READ MORE
Russia-France: Balance of Economy and Policy
Russia proceeds with the course of development of special relations with the biggest economies and leading political centers of continental Europe. Interaction with Germany and Italy promotes within quite predictable sphere of energy cooperation. As for France, then the trade scopes of Russian-French cooperation within absolute numbers fall behind from Russian-German and Russian-Italian analogues, but it possesses a pretty significant peculiarity. Moscow and Paris strive to diverse their economic relations. READ MORE
Could Syria Be a Test of France’s Reemergence?
French President François Hollande faces no shortage of domestic problems following the unveiling of his government’s controversial budget. But at a November 13 press conference, Hollande diverted attention to foreign policy by announcing France’s recognition of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, making it the first Western country to embrace that organization. This decision was celebrated as a crucial step toward the end of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, and as a symbol of Hollande’s ability to make tough decisions. READ MORE
French President Hollande visits Poland amid EU budget discussion
French President Francois Hollande was officially greeted by Poland’s President Bronislaw Komorowski here on Friday, during the discussion of the 2014-2020 European Union (EU) budget. READ MORE
We can't allow Germany and France to run our defence industry
With BAE Systems and EADS locked in frantic negotiations to save their proposed £28 billion merger, the key issue for the British government comes down to one simple question: are we about to surrender control of Britain's largest defence contractor to the French and Germans? READ MORE
French police continue searches following nationwide anti-terror operation
French police have continued searches in the southern city of Cannes following simultaneous anti-terrorism raids across the country on Saturday. READ MORE
Hollande slumps in polls ... and it could get worse
After four months in power President François Hollande has suffered a massive drop in popularity, his government is split over the eurozone fiscal pact and companies continue to lay workers off. This week is unlikely to see a turnaround — new unemployment figures will be announced on Wednesday and the cabinet will discuss a widely dreaded budget on Friday. READ MORE
France dismantles camps, deports Gypsies
Unlike former President Sarkozy's virulent anti-immigrant media campaigns, the new Socialist government says it is motivated by health, sanitation, and security. READ MORE
