France wants to play a greater role in the Middle East as the US withdraws, but it won't find any success if it uses old imperial tactics Opinion | Ismail Numan Telci
Once a significant player in the Middle East, particularly during the first half of the 20th century, France became a low profile actor for the rest of the century. Its drawback started with the independence of French colonies like Algeria and Tunisia and continued with a less traumatic retreat from the Levant.
To prevent a total loss in the Middle East, Paris was quick to react in Libya by initiating a NATO offensive against the Gaddafi regime. France’s policy toward Egypt was also in a similar vein. The events last year in countries like Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and most recently in Syria have all contributed to the diminishing influence of France. It is worth taking a closer look at how a once giant political power became irrelevant.
The fall of ex-president Abdelaziz Bouteflika following widespread protests that started in February 2019 also dealt another blow to French influence in the country. Protesters harboured strong anti-France sentiments and called for less interference in Algerian political and social life. Haftar’s forces have been conducting violent assaults to take over the internationally recognised government in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. The most recent initiative in this regard started in April 2019 with the support of Egypt, the UAE and France.
Tunisia is another North African country where we will see a less influential France. This can be observed from the results of the recent elections. The October 2019 presidential and parliamentarıan elections in Tunisia resulted in an outcome that France would hardly prefer. The constitutional law professor Kais Saied defeated the media tycoon Nabil Karoui, who is known for his close relationship with political and business circles in France.
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