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France’s ‘return’ to NATO is one of those subjects that provides an ideal opportunity for all those (especially the French) who love to get on their hobbyhorse to take the moral high ground whilst remaining in unwitting or feigned ignorance of the actual facts. Without sacrificing any of the passion, which is not out of place when it comes to major issues, the ensuing discussion would benefit if it took account of the international situation in 2009 rather than the state of international relations in 1966.
What if we all put an end to this masquerade?
France never left the Atlantic Alliance. Over many years, it has taken steps towards rejoining NATO’s military command structure. Ten years have already passed since French aircraft participated in the NATO-led war against the Milosevic regime in order to bring about the liberation of Kosovo. It is also under NATO command that many young French soldiers have died in Afghanistan over the past few months. After the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Italy, France is now one of the largest contributors of troops and funds to the Alliance. This has led to a situation where only the blindness of polemicists and the skilfulness of our diplomatic strategy make it possible for France’s ‘return’ to be seen as Paris’ latest concession to Washington: on the contrary, France is finally going to be granted high-ranking posts at NATO Staff Headquarters and in the central bodies that it should have long been entitled to hold on the basis of its commitment in the field.
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The celebrations surrounding the inauguration of Barack Obama have sparked a new outbreak of Obama Fever among our media. Let us try to go beyond the ‘people’ aspect in order to gauge more effectively the scope of the election of the Senator from Illinois.
In America itself, Barack Obama’s victory is the United States’ victory over the ghosts from its past. The fact that the African origin of the Democratic nominee played virtually no role in influencing the voters’ choice is strong evidence of the excellent state of health of American democratic society. This victory is reshaping the view that the rest of the world has of America: the superpower is finally giving up trying to impose democracy by force, and, accordingly, is cleaning up its own back yard, choosing to lead by example in providing the rest of the world’s leaders with an African-American negotiating partner. In so doing, it has regained the respectability and the power of fascination that it had lost under George Bush.
This is quite an achievement, but for now… that’s all, folks. As from 21 January, the newly inaugurated US President’s image is set to change as he becomes the man in charge of all of his country’s troubles and a significant portion of the world’s woes to boot. He will now be judged on his deeds rather than his Hollywoodesque profile, his moving eloquence, his tremendous electoral talent and his own personal story: in the midst of raging storms, all that is asked of the captain is to be a great sailor.
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La fête de l’inauguration de Barack Obama voit nos médias faire une nouvelle poussée de fièvre obamaniaque. Essayons de dépasser l’aspect « people » pour mieux mesurer la portée de l’élection du sénateur de l’Illinois.
En Amérique même, la victoire de Barack Obama est celle des Etats-Unis sur les fantômes de leur passé. Le fait que l’origine africaine du candidat démocrate n’ait joué quasiment aucun rôle dans le vote des électeurs est une preuve éclatante de la santé de la société démocratique américaine. Et cette victoire change le regard que le reste du monde porte sur l’Amérique : la superpuissance renonce finalement à imposer la démocratie par la force, balaye ainsi devant sa porte, et choisit de prêcher par l’exemple, en offrant un visage africain comme interlocuteur aux autres dirigeants de la planète. Ce faisant, elle retrouve la respectabilité et le pouvoir de fascination qu’elle avait perdus sous George Bush.
C’est beaucoup, mais … pour l’instant c’est tout. Dès le 21 janvier, l’élu change d’image : il devient le responsable, en charge de toutes les difficultés de son pays, et aussi d’une grande partie des malheurs du monde. Il sera désormais jugé sur ses actes, et non plus sur son profil hollywoodien, son éloquence émouvante, son immense talent électoral et son histoire personnelle : dans les grandes tempêtes, on ne demande au capitaine que d’être un grand marin.
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