Understanding French Opposition :: Economics Diplomats War in Iraq France Essays

Understanding french electrical resistanceThis essay examines the nature of cut resistance to the US-led state of war in Iraq. In recent months this opposition has reinforced many of the negative stereotypes Americans associate with frenchmen, and boycotts of french wines and cut fries ar now commonplace in the unite States. However, writing the French off as cowards or appeasers is not exactly when misguided but also fails to consider the complex nature of French opposition. Although inextricably linked, the opposition put forth by the French tribe is not the same as the opposition directed by the French government. Nonetheless, French President Jacques Chirac and other Gaullist politicians have used the popular opposition to further and justify their own agenda. While the apprehensions of the French people are largely understandableas their attitudes are a reflection of their degenerate and bloody past, the motivations behind Frances political actors are not so o bvious and are founded in the economic realities and diplomatic-power struggles of the twenty-first century.Despite what nigh Americans may argue, the French are not fundamentally opposed to war. In fact Frances readiness to use ground support in both Kosovo and Bosnia outweighed that of the United States. Consequently, in October of 2001, nearly a month later on September 11th, Frances popular backing of the US-led military campaign in Afghanistan was seventy-three percent in favorthe highest among Europes largest states. The French recognized the security threat posed by al cornerstone and the Taliban and clearly saw the connection in the midst of September 11th and the al Qaeda masterminds. Their support ran afoul only when the US tried connecting the dots between September 11th and Iraq. To say the French are opposed to war or are against fighting terrorism is both inaccurate and inflammatory. The French know first hand the implications of Islamic jihad-driven terrori sm, as they have been the hind end of more terrorist attacks than any other European nation during the last century. The scars of French colonialism in North Africaparticularly in Algeriaare still vulgar in the minds of many Muslims, and it is this resentment and antipathy that the French fear as the US wages a war in Iraq. The French get to that the short-term military and strategic victories made in Iraq will only breed more contempt and mistrust toward the USthe very terrorist grow that the US is aiming to destroy.