Nicolas Sarkozy, two years into his office as president, continues to chart a bold, if unfocused course in French foreign affairs. Although rhetoric has so far been stronger than action, Sarkozy has forged warmer ties with the US, assumed an active role in regional crisis management and pushed for further European integration. And with the Lisbon Treaty ratified Sarkozy seems to have gotten what he wanted on this crucial front.
- This week ISN Podcasts discusses French foreign policy with Anand Menon from Chatham House. He reminds us that French policy, although uncharacteristically bold under Sarkozy, has not changed as much as Sarkozy promised. Moreover, it is not clear how France will deal with a dominant Germany in the European context.
- In our Publications section, a Center for Transatlantic Relations paper examines France’s role in a globalized economy.
- In Policy Briefs an S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies commentary on the burqa controversy and a Center for European Policy Studies brief on the Union for the Mediterranean proposal.
- In our Links Library, a Foreign Policy article on Sarkozy’s decision to reintegrate France into NATO command structures.
- And finally, in our IR Directory check out the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri).