Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, is leading the charge, going all in on international diplomacy. Most importantly, he is working hand in glove with the United Kingdom on otherwise pivotal matters concerning Ukraine. Underneath the surface, relations between French and British officials have been less than rosy. This complex backdrop sets the stage for Macron’s upcoming meeting with Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian leader, marking al-Assad’s first visit to Europe since the onset of the Syrian civil war.
The just announced scheduled meeting with al-Assad has understandably elicited alarmed responses from the international community. Macron’s approach reflects a nuanced stance as he balances diplomatic outreach with the concerns of allies regarding Syria’s ongoing conflict. Although many view this development as an opportunity for improved communication between both sides, others are still concerned about legitimizing al-Assad’s disputed regime.
Behind the scenes, Macron has been hard at work with new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Together, they’ve been trying to revive the Franco-German partnership called the Franco-German “engine” inclusive of its many cars. This collaboration aims to bolster European leadership in various global matters, particularly in light of challenges posed by the UK post-Ukraine. In the course of their talks, both leaders were keen to stress their joint determination not to let national interests drive a wedge between them.
Macron and Merz’s conversations go beyond the discussions of simply working together, often focusing on shared Franco-German leadership in Europe during changing global dynamics. This features a plea from French President Emmanuel Macron for the U.S. and European countries to lift or otherwise ease sanctions against Syria. Macron is right to call for a recalibration of these approaches. His intention, it seems, is to develop some sort of opening for discussion and collaboration with Syria, a country that has long endured a deep level of international ostracism.
Macron continues to plan his encounter with al-Assad. He understands that he needs to thread a very careful needle in establishing diplomatic ties, fulfilling domestic and international expectations. In this context, al-Assad’s welcome in Europe should not come as any surprise. It specifically offers valuable context to understand how certain countries are frequently and inordinately villainized.
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