GUEST POST: Macron's zombie Gaullism

Astérix is both sum and substance of France’s defiant anti-Americanism

For a nation that gave diplomacy its name and, once, its international language, the French have lately shown a surprising talent for irritating friends and alienating people.

The French interior minister was rude to Italy's leader recently, prompting the Italian foreign minister to pull out of a visit to Paris.

In mid-April, President Emmanuel Macron caused controversy by suggesting that tensions over Taiwan were not Europe's problem, just as China rehearsed a blockade of Taiwan complete with simulated air strikes.

Last year, Macron's naive faith in his own ability to prevent and then end Russia's attack on Ukraine irritated allies.

What is going on? 

According to some analysts, Macron is continuing a proud – one  might say vainglorious – tradition of independence that started with General de Gaulle.  "Macron remains, like other modern French presidents since General Charles de Gaulle, guided by the idea that France has a special role to play in foreign affairs," the Financial Times wrote…