The American Spectator : Glory on the Cheap

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Glory on the Cheap

By George H. Wittman on 4.15.11 @ 6:07AM

French Field Marshal Sarkozy is no Napoleon or de Gaulle.

It's an old story: France wants to be recognized as a major factor in international affairs. French diplomats carry themselves as principal players in world politics even when no one really cares what new declaration comes out of Paris. French intellectuals argue late into the night that French savoir faire is necessary to add depth to virtually all issues of global import.

The bantam rooster of the French establishment is its president, Nicolas Sarkozy, feverishly seeking an issue on which he can hang his beret for the 2012 presidential election. Libya was just the right size of junior military exercise for which Sarkozy could lead the charge -- just so the elite paras (paratroopers) of the French Rapid Reaction Corps weren't thrown into the conflict. Real fighting with real fighters -- and the French paras are definitely real fighters -- would be counter-productive in the minds of French politicians in general and Sarkozy in particular.

Hardly anyone in France wants their warriors in battle. Even the French contingent in Afghanistan for the most part has been held out of combat. It's insulting to the French soldiers, but that's what the politicians want -- and get: A rapid reaction force that really doesn't have to rapidly react anywhere particularly dangerous. And when it does even in relatively small numbers, as in the Côte d'Ivoire, there's a former colonial and commercial justification.

French presidents like Sarkozy like to strut about as if they are Napoleon or de Gaulle. (The disparity in height, though, makes Le Grand Charles a less appropriate model for Le Petit Nicky.) It was easier than it seemed for Sarkozy to open the door to improved American relations post–George W. Bush. Obama's ambition to be "president of the world" fit in well with the Sarkozy plan to return France to a pivotal role in European and thus world affairs. Though annoying in European unified defense terms, the refusal of Angela Merkel's Germany to create another Afrika Korps worked out perfectly for French prestige. Sarko took advantage of a third chance in North Africa after his Elysée Palace team had fumbled their non-responses to the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings.

Hillary Clinton was completely charmed by the French president's rhetoric. She was equally accepting of the willingness of the French to "head the military operation," as the Belgian prime minister, Yves Leterme, made a point of extolling at the Paris summit in mid-March. She easily sold the concept to her boss. It was a relief to Obama who was petrified of having to assume responsibility for a war he couldn't blame on Bush.

Britain, in the form of its former defense secretary, Lord John Hutton, also carried the Obama government's water when he said, "The U.S. has been saying for 10 or 15 years that it wants the Europeans to share more of the security burden and we have heard the lesson. We should be doing much more in Europe. We cannot go on expecting the U.S. to take the leading role." This suited all concerned. It was, after all, quite true. Washington and Paris were delighted with the Brits entering the fray: the French because they clearly couldn't do the air cover job themselves, and the White House because it wanted to do as little as possible.

The French led things off with air strikes in defense of Benghazi. The Americans followed up with naval air assets and airborne surveillance ops. The U.S. then spent a great deal of money on ship-launched cruise missiles and laser-guided weaponry from its fighter-bomber aircraft. After about a week the financial costs began to mount up and Washington told the French and Brits that the rest was up to them and NATO.

Unfortunately, no one told Nicolas Sarkozy that without boots-on-the-ground there was no way the limitedly effective Anglo-French air power could keep Gaddafi's forces from filtering back across the coastal desert terrain and flanking the insurgent rag-tag "army." Everyone who remembered the war in the Western Desert in WW2 knew that the army with the most powerful mobile fighting force wins the Saharan field. Air power that does not have good ground-to-air communication and reliable forward observers can do only a limited job.

If Sarko had been a serious tough guy instead of just another French politician seeking to protect his position with a display of bravado, he would have shipped across the Med elements of the 8,500 man 11th Parachute Brigade along with the famed French 2nd Armored Brigade. Frankly, just the expectation that they might have to go up against the Foreign Legion paras regiment would have sent the regular Libyan forces scurrying for their civilian clothes.

Sarkozy already is behind in the electoral polls against Dominique Strauss-Kahn of the International Monetary Fund and the Socialist Party -- and Strauss-Kahn hasn't even announced his candidacy. If Sarko hopes to gain from his North African venture, he's going to have to commit his military more substantially. It's not enough to seek a way out by emphasizing he never intended regime change, just protection for the rebels. Maybe the Africa Union, the Arab League, or the Turks will get him off the hook with a negotiated settlement. Meanwhile Napoleon and de Gaulle are spinning in their graves.

About the Author

George H. Wittman writes a weekly column on international affairs for The American Spectator online. He was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (23) | Leave a comment

Robbins Mitchell| 4.15.11 @ 6:25AM

Well,hell,right now I would settle for a Ney or Murat or even a Jacque LeClerc for the moment..alas,the 'glorie la belle France' is dust in the wind

Anommynous| 4.15.11 @ 7:18AM

He's no Chirac, either.

JimH| 4.15.11 @ 8:49AM

If Sarko was serious he could bring in some of the Legion etrangere. This is the kind of thing they were meant for.

Audace| 4.15.11 @ 11:00AM

France is such a backwards country. Pass over the borders from Germany or Switzerland by train or automobile and you know within miliseconds you are in something, something worse/less/more downtrodden.

Inefficiency everywhere/slowness of purpose if there is any purpose at all.

Despite millions of Euros "stolen" (taxed) from unknowing Europeans in 50 countries across the continent for cities like Strasburg (this city benefits from spending of this tax monies to 'spruce up' the EU's second parliamentary home -- for just one week per month) look so shabby in so many places.

The populace looks lame. Dour faces all around. Corruption fully rules the cities of the south: Toulon, Toulouse, Marseille, Bordeaux. Thievery is common even in broad daylight on roads and at motorway rest stops (in about half the country). Look at all the massive gates and locks around just small auto dealers and houses.

Real go-getter entrepreneurship of any kind or size is mocked and thwarted.

Drugs abound. Abound.

Everyone could see the illegals from North Africa (and what it meant for the country) 25 years ago. Nobody lifted a finger outside some who follow Le Pen.

Marriage is dead; the family is dead. That is the families of those who can truthfully claim living in France for more than 6 generations. These French vote with their lack of babies their unbelief in any future.

Why should they? There's no hope for any young man wishing for a job after working hard in his studies. The numbers of unemployed truly skilled and ready to work males aged 20 - 32 is sky high.

There isn't one person in any leadership position in the nation (local, regional, national, religious) that the people really respect or trust. NONE.

The same is said of any journalistic or media source. None are really trusted or in any way esteemed.

All Christian faith is dead. Stone cold dead. A man is ridiculed and marginalized if he wishes to attend church or even thinks to express in any way publicly his Christian faith.

Mosques abound. And the men who attend them are everywhere -- EVERYWHERE. But it is odd, they don't seem to need to go to jobs/work.

France? A serious country that should have something to say in world forums or in world discussions? Really?

JmsA| 4.16.11 @ 2:07PM

A very apt summation of growing islamosocialism . Thank you, Audace.

Michael| 4.15.11 @ 1:31PM

First lesson-- remember what DeGualle said, "I can't prevent the French from being French." Second lesson--A great looking wife does not a leader make.

Obummer| 4.15.11 @ 7:56PM

Hmm...great connection...what does that make Obama?

play nice| 4.15.11 @ 1:47PM

Inspector Jacques Clouseau:
There is a time to laugh and a time not to laugh, and this is not one of them.

to hell with the paras, send in the clowns

Rommel| 4.15.11 @ 6:34PM

Are you kidding?

"Famed" French 2nd Armored Brigade? You mean the one crushed by the Germans in WWII? If not, please elaborate what French armored unit has accomplished anything (beyond the parade ground) since WWII.

French Rapid Reaction Corps? Really? This is a joint unit, not totaly French.

French 11th Parachute Brigade? Beyond training, this unit has no combat experience.

Finally, using the Foreign Legion...that should scare the Libyans..BUT only 25% of the unit is French. In fact, most are German...isn't that interesting.

Basically, while the French have a military, it has no actuall combat experience. Would the Libyans run?...no doubt..Islamic armys are jokes in motion. All talk, no action. Except perhaps the tankers from Syria in '67, which commited suicide really well. Brave but still stupid..ouch kind of like Russians, but without the numbers.

BUT...let's realize that Sarkozy is not stupid. He knows that if France puts boots on the ground in Libya, he's trapped in the same nation building quicksand that the U.S. is trapped with in Iraq.

So the point of the article is correct that, despite no evidence, Sarkozy is continuing to support the notion that France has global relevance and influence.

My point is recognizing the notion that French military power is anything to fear (unless its from the safety of the air) is false. The last French military threat was led by Nepoleon. BTW DeGauille ran (coward) to England. He simply followed British and American success and clained victory..same with LeClerc.

Occam's Tool| 4.15.11 @ 6:41PM

Yes...it is interesting to note how DeGaulle claimed Paris was freed by the French....the Kiwis had a stronger role in WWII than the French!

J.C.Eaton| 4.15.11 @ 6:57PM

We're coming up on the 57th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu, the last time French soldiers REALLY fought. The tragedy of the loss was that every real soldier, especially the Paras and The Legion either died or was marched off to captivity. What they've got today may be wearing the uniforms but nothing else. Bon chance.

Rommel| 4.15.11 @ 8:06PM

Good point. Tough soldiers, useless national leadership. I acknowledge their fight in modification of my prior comments. Of course, I have to ask, how many were French, since the Foreign Legion was involved.

J.C.Eaton| 4.15.11 @ 9:40PM

About 17 combat battatalions all told. And even the nominally French battalions were comprised of 35-45% Vietnamese. Good troopers and small unit officers. The rest:ne cest pas.[2 Foreign Legion BNS, several Morroccan, several Algerian, and a couple Thais BNS]

Ben| 4.16.11 @ 3:54AM

Enough height jokes. I’m going to stick up for the French President. He banned the burka and that took more guts than Obama and McCain have.

Martin Owens| 4.16.11 @ 5:31AM

How do you say " sorcerer's apprentice" in French?

Tina B| 4.16.11 @ 2:48PM

and let's not forget the brave French Resistance,
now there were some heros.

Quartermaster| 4.16.11 @ 3:48PM

If France were serious they would send La Legion. The Legion is feared for good reason.

A Frenchman is not legally allowed to join the Legion, so publically, there are no French in La Legion. They know differently, but they turn a blind eye to the situation.

rommel| 4.17.11 @ 3:39PM

Not true..check the Legion website. In fact all Legionaires are eventually French citizens.

I agree that they are feared...and they should be...because they're mostly non-Frence. The notion of a French warrior died in the 1800s.

shipley130| 4.17.11 @ 3:57PM

I wish those reporters in Libya would get some information about the claim that Sarkozy's election fund was fattened up by Ghadafi's son.

Multifunction Energy Meter| 4.20.11 @ 4:23AM

Classic exposition, I have also mentioned it in my blog article. But it is a pity that almost no friend discussed it with me. I am very happy to see your article.

Christian Louboutin| 6.23.11 @ 6:09AM

The bantam rooster of the French establishment is its president, Nicolas Sarkozy, feverishly seeking an issue on which he can hang his beret for the 2012 presidential election.