[11th Commandment]

This came from TIME?

[Diddle E. Squat]

bump

[Semper Paratus]

The last time the French were pre-eminent in world diplomacy was 1920-39.

[xzins]

This is only half of it. It slants toward France's role in Europe.

France has an historic role in the Mediterranean basin, and I think France wishes to unite the Arabic nations of that basin with the European Union.

European industrial strength and Islamic oil and strategic global positioning will create greater than a rival to US interests.

As a nuclear power they see themselves leading this coalition.

[Question_Assumptions]

"Any community with only one dominant power is always a dangerous one."

So, it is bad for the UN to be the sole dominant power in the World, the EU to be the sole dominant power in Europe, and the French goverment of Mr. Chiraq to be the sole dominant power in France. Perhaps he'd like to share power with the Basques or Bretons.

[Fee]

France will learn just like the Arab World, that Americans are a sleeping giant. Despite its huge power, it had not truly been imperialistic, because most Americans are interested in their own lives and communities and less aware of international issues. Americans had to be prodded into helping Ethiopia, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo and even the war against Iraq in 1991 (domestic support for the war is less than current support for war). Unfortunately for France, 9/11 changed all that. Attitudes have changed, and National Security is a major issue. Terrorist bases and its backers and allies are no longer tolerated. The US is committed to a long protracted war against them. If France gets in the way, the American people will want their government to apply our power to the fullest extent to crush them. No, after Iraq and Iran is taken out. North Korea and France will feel our boot quite well. In the past France can play their power games because the American people were apathetic, but now they are not.

[ken5050]

IMHO, I don't think Charles gets all of it. France's opposition is aimed NOT at weakening the US role int he world, but rather, GB's...and they want to take down Tony Blair...lest you forget, Blair is soon posed to embark on a plan to convince GB to give up its currency and adopt the Euro...a necessary precursor for further integration of GB into to EU....which is now dominated by France and Germany, whose primacy would soon be challenged by GB...now the British vote is dicey, at best, and if Blair is discredited, well, I can't really see him calling for GB to adopt the national currency of France and Germany.....

[smith288]

France is a nuisance. They are about the size of Texas with no where near the heart of the Lonestar state.

France will be economically and politically damaged. It warms my heart.

[Capitalist Eric]

What is it with France?

Three simple words:

Delusions of significance.

'Nuff said.

[Cicero]

Who is the natural leader of the opposition? France? I don't think so. France simply lacks the power. The more they throw their weight around in Europe, the more the other Europeans will resent them. IMHO the natural leader of the opposition is China.

Outside the United States the two vital centers of cultural power are Islam and China. China is the subtler enemy, perhaps only a potential enemy. But France is going nowhere.

[Snerfling]

Jeez, about time (weak pun intended) some of the major columnists have picked up on a theme that has been discussed at FR for some time.

The juvenile anti-French rants were nothing more than stupid fish repeatedly going for a lure; the true 'grand game' is now underway, evident for all to see.

France and the unwilling vs. US and the willing vs. primitive savages bent on destroying both.

There's no reason to hate the French, just as there was no reason to hate the Russians during the Cold war. Know your rival and act accordingly.

[eeriegeno]

Why has no one yet asked if France has a 'conflict of interests' in making decisions at the UN level about the Iraqi situation? Does France have financial interests in Iraq? What has been sold to Iraq by France in the last 12 years? What contracts were signed? What was promised? Are France's decisions being biased by these financial interests? Should they have recused themselves from the UN voting process because of these interests?

[NJJ]

Not only would this make France leader of the global opposition. It would also restore France to what it sees as its rightful place as leader of Europe.

It has been said that France lacks the power to be a world leader again. I would suggest that Chirac has made a Faustian deal with the devil and Iraq now IS The French Foreign Legion.

[new cruelty]

In 1991, the bipolar world of U.S.-Soviet domination collapsed. At the time, it was assumed that the new world would be multipolar, with the U.S., the European Union, Japan, Russia and a rising China sharing power and balancing one another.

LOL, what a bunch of hooey.