Against the backdrop of failed attempts to draw Asian countries into its orbit, Washington decided to enlist the support of old European friends.
The French Navy frigate Prairial paid a courtesy visit to Japan from April 20 to April 27. The ship took part in a joint drill to repress unlawful activity at sea before taking the place of honor in the self-defense fleet, headquartered at Yokosuka. The entry was a kind of announcement of a number of other more substantial joint military maneuvers.
Rear Admiral Geoffroy d’Andigné, who oversees the campaign, enthusiastically said at the event’s press conference that the current year of 2023 should be unparalleled in terms of strengthening collaboration between the two countries in the military field. The newest frigate Lorraine, commissioned last year, will visit Japan in May to engage in anti-submarine exercises, after which a group of Rafale fighter jets will be dispatched to the islands, and the countries will arrange ground forces maneuvers in French New Caledonia at the end of the year. All these actions are said to be aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
What is the source of Paris’ renewed interest in the distant region? Following its defeat in Indochina, France has permanently abandoned its colonial ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region, and the remaining Polynesian islands under its control are so remote from the sources of tension that the appearance of any threats to them is in the realm of science fiction. Consider for a moment that the military expansion is motivated by concern for the overseas territories, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand would make more sense as allies than Japan, which is constrained by limitations on action outside of its islands. Not to mention the challenging economic climate in France, which is made worse by the necessity of making monthly financial and armament donations to sustain the Ukrainian government. With these considerations in mind, planning military drills on the other side of the globe seems wasteful and cannot be supported by the protection of national interests.
The pressure exerted on the French by Washington is the only rational explanation for their actions. The United States plainly recognized that it would have to contend with the PRC’s expanding ambitions when it decided to regain control in the Indo-Pacific region under Obama. As a result, efforts were made to win the favor of regionals from the outset, putting a favorable spin, by making various promises of financial gain, a resolution to maritime security challenges, and military-technical cooperation. However, Asian nations are still hesitant to fully embrace Washington and accept American claims that Beijing is a bloodthirsty regime. So the United States has to pull loyal vassals from Europe into the region and force them to increase their cooperation with their Eastern allies in an accelerated mode. The ultimate goal of the Americans is to restructure NATO into a worldwide monster that, as a result of the overlapping of roles and responsibilities, is only interested in advancing American interests.
Bakhtiar Urusov, a political observer, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook.”
