Sarkozy and the Arab world: French policy at the crossroads?
New French president Nicolas Sarkozy could initiate a historic shift in French Middle East policy, says Pascal Boniface, director of the IRIS Institute for International and Strategic Relations.
For forty years, French policy has been viewed as pro-Arab, an approach which has been attributed to French commercial interests and a large Muslim population. According to Boniface, however, France’s policy towards the Middle East has been shaped by more subtle strategic factors. Specifically, by playing the pro-Arab card, France has been able to exert “superpower” influence in the region. This could all change with a pro-Israeli Sarkozy in Élysée Palace who is both well liked in Israel and a frequent guest.
