Macron's emulation of Napoleon might be fraught with serious consequences
The French leader is considering sending troops to the Ukraine conflict, but his "little emperor" moment may evolve into a nightmare for many. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
French President Emmanuel Macron is currently engaged in a bold initiative, seeking to deploy French and European troops to support Ukraine against Russia. However, this "little emperor" moment may quickly spiral into a significant dilemma for many involved.
Joining Macron in this venture is British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has adopted the “Wish Wellington” persona. This rather unremarkable version of the esteemed Duke of Wellington appears somewhat damaged, eager to revive the outdated concept of a “coalition of the willing,” reminiscent of the Iraq War era. Given the outcomes of that previous endeavor, it’s questionable how effective this strategy would be now, especially with Russia as the target.
“Wish Wellington” seems intent on recreating the logistical challenges faced by the original Duke during the Peninsular War, albeit in a modern context with Macron at his side. Their task would involve navigating supply lines to Ukraine, with the geographic proximity of their opponent making the situation even more complicated.
Macron has expressed a desire to delay any direct involvement, suggesting a pause on hostilities for about a month. This would supposedly allow French and British forces, along with their allies, to position themselves securely without potential engagement in the chaos unfolding in Ukraine. He has reassured the public that French troops would not be on the front lines but would be stationed to ensure “peace”—which ironically echoes the very NATO troop presence that escalated tensions in the first place.
In his recent television addresses, Macron posed the question, “Who can believe today that Russia would stop at Ukraine?” However, this sentiment is not widely held among the French populace, with a CSA Institute poll indicating that 65% oppose sending troops to Ukraine. This skepticism appears to extend beyond France, as other EU nations did not prioritize the attendance of Baltic states at a recent defense summit in London, undermining their claims of serious concern for frontline countries.
The underlying motives may be more complex, as there seems to be an effort to generate taxpayer funds under the guise of addressing the “Russian threat” to enhance their defense industries. Germany, which has faced economic challenges since 2022, is reportedly looking for substantial financial backing that could potentially stimulate its economy, particularly its defense sector.
France, too, has its sights set on boosting defense spending, even as its manufacturing capabilities have faced numerous hurdles, from rising energy prices to reduced production and job cuts. The government appears to be considering financing these military ambitions through interest from citizens’ savings, an approach likely to evoke frustration among taxpayers.
Recent discussions around potential military engagement have already led to a surge in European defense stocks, with notable rises for companies like Rheinmetall, Thales, and BAE Systems—highlighting a reality where those profiting from the defense sector do not typically represent the average worker.
Moreover, this situation is entwined with Macron's and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's goal of establishing a unified EU defense strategy. Macron recently declared, “The Europe of defense, which we have been defending for eight years, is therefore becoming a reality.”
This scenario allows leaders to use the specter of Russia, alongside the complexities of transatlantic defense relationships, as reasons to refrain from sharing defense budgets with the U.S. Instead, they can indulge in their own military-industrial desires.
The current European defense framework appears to be a more promising opportunity for the military-industrial complex than previous collective defense efforts that faltered in Africa. Macron's aspirations to redefine French military engagement, alongside the unsuccessful attempts to maintain influence in Africa, have left leaders scrambling for new avenues of influence.
In summary, the narrative of a “war for peace” surrounding Ukraine seems to be more of a theatrical performance designed to distract and extract resources from the public, with a broader agenda of integrating EU defense initiatives potentially overshadowing the actual conflict. The hope is that this elaborate plan doesn't unravel, particularly if tensions with Russia escalate into more serious confrontations.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
Joining Macron in this venture is British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has adopted the “Wish Wellington” persona. This rather unremarkable version of the esteemed Duke of Wellington appears somewhat damaged, eager to revive the outdated concept of a “coalition of the willing,” reminiscent of the Iraq War era. Given the outcomes of that previous endeavor, it’s questionable how effective this strategy would be now, especially with Russia as the target.
“Wish Wellington” seems intent on recreating the logistical challenges faced by the original Duke during the Peninsular War, albeit in a modern context with Macron at his side. Their task would involve navigating supply lines to Ukraine, with the geographic proximity of their opponent making the situation even more complicated.
Macron has expressed a desire to delay any direct involvement, suggesting a pause on hostilities for about a month. This would supposedly allow French and British forces, along with their allies, to position themselves securely without potential engagement in the chaos unfolding in Ukraine. He has reassured the public that French troops would not be on the front lines but would be stationed to ensure “peace”—which ironically echoes the very NATO troop presence that escalated tensions in the first place.
In his recent television addresses, Macron posed the question, “Who can believe today that Russia would stop at Ukraine?” However, this sentiment is not widely held among the French populace, with a CSA Institute poll indicating that 65% oppose sending troops to Ukraine. This skepticism appears to extend beyond France, as other EU nations did not prioritize the attendance of Baltic states at a recent defense summit in London, undermining their claims of serious concern for frontline countries.
The underlying motives may be more complex, as there seems to be an effort to generate taxpayer funds under the guise of addressing the “Russian threat” to enhance their defense industries. Germany, which has faced economic challenges since 2022, is reportedly looking for substantial financial backing that could potentially stimulate its economy, particularly its defense sector.
France, too, has its sights set on boosting defense spending, even as its manufacturing capabilities have faced numerous hurdles, from rising energy prices to reduced production and job cuts. The government appears to be considering financing these military ambitions through interest from citizens’ savings, an approach likely to evoke frustration among taxpayers.
Recent discussions around potential military engagement have already led to a surge in European defense stocks, with notable rises for companies like Rheinmetall, Thales, and BAE Systems—highlighting a reality where those profiting from the defense sector do not typically represent the average worker.
Moreover, this situation is entwined with Macron's and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's goal of establishing a unified EU defense strategy. Macron recently declared, “The Europe of defense, which we have been defending for eight years, is therefore becoming a reality.”
This scenario allows leaders to use the specter of Russia, alongside the complexities of transatlantic defense relationships, as reasons to refrain from sharing defense budgets with the U.S. Instead, they can indulge in their own military-industrial desires.
The current European defense framework appears to be a more promising opportunity for the military-industrial complex than previous collective defense efforts that faltered in Africa. Macron's aspirations to redefine French military engagement, alongside the unsuccessful attempts to maintain influence in Africa, have left leaders scrambling for new avenues of influence.
In summary, the narrative of a “war for peace” surrounding Ukraine seems to be more of a theatrical performance designed to distract and extract resources from the public, with a broader agenda of integrating EU defense initiatives potentially overshadowing the actual conflict. The hope is that this elaborate plan doesn't unravel, particularly if tensions with Russia escalate into more serious confrontations.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
