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LeMonde
a day ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
US strikes in Iran: 'In the past, the use of force in the name of nuclear counter-proliferation has proven counterproductive'
A few days after US and Israeli strikes targeted the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan sites in Iran, what can be said about the effects − and effectiveness − of such actions? To provide clarity, I am offering two reminders and three corrections by drawing on the findings of independent research on military nuclear programs. First, a reminder: In the Middle East, Israel has possessed a nuclear arsenal since 1967, but to date, Iran does not have one. This is significant because the official, expert and media framings of the nuclear issue as one of "proliferation" have introduced confusion. In France, claims of an imminent Iranian bomb have been circulating since at least 2006. A survey conducted by Nuclear Knowledges/IFOP on a representative sample of the French population in October 2019, and repeated in October 2024, revealed that over 40% of respondents mistakenly believed Iran already possessed nuclear weapons (42% in 2024). Only 40% of respondents identified Israel as a nuclear-armed state from a list of countries we provided (43% in 2024). A breach of international law Second, the use of force in the name of counter-proliferation is not new, even though it constitutes a violation of international law. The US was already considering such actions against the Soviet program in the late 1940s. Three countries – the US, Israel and the United Kingdom – have engaged in such operations, and the Middle East has been their primary target, including in Iraq (1991, 1993, 1998 and 2003), Syria (2007) and Iran, notably through the assassination of nuclear scientists since the 2010s. It is also important to recall that such assassinations are not new: In 1980, Yahia el-Meshad, who was in charge of Iraq's nuclear program, was murdered in Paris. First correction: The US is commonly portrayed as a major actor in non-proliferation, but independent research has shown that it is by far the leading "proliferating" agent of the nuclear age. Not only did the US develop nuclear weapons first and produce more than 30,000 warheads, but it has also helped the largest number of other nations develop nuclear weapons programs (the United Kingdom, France, Pakistan, India, South Africa and Israel).
AsiaOne
16-06-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Macron rejects Trump's idea for Putin to mediate Israel-Iran crisis, World News
PARIS/COPENHAGEN — French President Emmanuel Macron, during a visit to Greenland to offer his support to the Arctic island, said on Sunday (June 15) that Russia lacked the credibility to mediate the crisis between Israel and Iran as US President Donald Trump has suggested. In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Trump said he was open to Putin, whose forces invaded Ukraine and who has resisted Trump's attempts to broker a ceasefire with Kyiv, mediating between Israel and Iran. Macron said he rejected such an idea. "I do not believe that Russia, which is now engaged in a high-intensity conflict and has decided not to respect the UN Charter for several years now, can be a mediator," Macron said. He also said France did not take part in any of Israel's attacks against Iran. Macron was visiting Greenland, a self-governing part of Denmark with the right to declare independence that Trump has threatened to take over, ahead of a trip to Canada for the Group of Seven Leaders' summit. In a press conference alongside Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Macron said the island was threatened by "predatory ambition," and that its situation was a wakeup call for all Europeans. "Greenland is not to be sold, not to be taken," he said, adding that he has spoken with Trump ahead of his trip, and would speak with him about Greenland at the G7. "I think there is a way forward in order to clearly build a better future in co-operation and not in provocation or confrontation." However, Macron said he ultimately doubted the United States would invade Greenland. "I don't believe that in the end, the US, which is an ally and a friend, will ever do something aggressive against another ally," he said, adding he believed "the United States of America remains engaged in NATO and our key and historical alliances." Trump has said he wants the United States to take over the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island, and has not ruled out force. His vice president, JD Vance, visited a US military base there in March. Macron is the first foreign leader to visit Greenland since Trump's explicit threats to "get" the island. According to an IFOP poll for published on Saturday, 77 per cent of French people and 56 per cent of Americans disapprove of an annexation of Greenland by the US and 43 per cent of the French would back using French military power to prevent a US invasion. Denmark's Frederiksen made several visits to Paris after Trump's threats to seek French and European backing, and has placed orders for French-made surface-to-air missiles, in a shift of focus for Copenhagen. [[nid:719103]]
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Macron visits Greenland to signal European resolve after Trump annexation threats
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Greenland on Sunday (June 15, 2025), in a show of solidarity with Denmark meant to send a signal of European resolve after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to take over the island. Greenland is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark with the right to declare independence. Both the Greenland and Danish governments say it is not for sale and only Greenlanders can determine their future. President Donald Trump has said he wants the United States to take over the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island, and has not ruled out force. His vice president, JD Vance, visited a U.S. military base there in March. Trump's threat to Greenland Mr. Macron, the first foreign leader to visit Greenland since Trump's explicit threats to "get" the island, was invited by the prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark. He has said his visit is meant to prevent any "preying" on the territory. "France has stood by us since the first statements about taking our land emerged. This support is both necessary and gratifying," Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote on Facebook days ahead of Macron's visit. Asked if Macron would deliver an explicit message to the United States during his visit, an adviser to Macron told reporters: "The trip is a signal in itself," without mentioning Trump. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told RTL radio on Sunday: "Greenland is a European territory and it is normal that Europe and notably France show their interest." According to an IFOP poll for published on Saturday, 77% of the French and 56% of Americans disapprove of an annexation of Greenland by the U.S. and 43% of the French would approve using French military power to prevent a U.S. invasion. Macron will visit the capital Nuuk, as well as a hydropower station funded by the EU and a glacier, and discuss Arctic security and climate change with his hosts. Though Denmark is an EU member, Greenland is outside the bloc. The French adviser said the visit would be an opportunity to discuss how to give Greenland's association partnership with the EU a "new dimension". Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made several visits to Paris after Trump's threats to seek French and European backing, and has placed orders for French-made surface-to-air missiles, in a shift of focus for Copenhagen. Enlisting the EU's only nuclear power is a way for Denmark, long one of Washington's most loyal allies in Europe, to project a form of hard power towards a suddenly more aggressive United States, said Florian Vidal of the Paris-based IFRI think tank. "The Trump administration's more aggressive posture is a shock that makes the French vision of Europe, one that is more autonomous, appear more reasonable for Denmark," he said. "From a Nordic point of view, France is a military power that counts." (Reporting by Michel Rose in Paris and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen; additional reporting by Andreas Rinke in Berlin and Dominique Vidalon in Paris; editing by Sophie Walker)
Business Recorder
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Macron visits Greenland to signal European resolve after Trump annexation threats
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Greenland on Sunday, in a show of solidarity with Denmark meant to send a signal of European resolve after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to take over the island. Greenland is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark with the right to declare independence. Both the Greenland and Danish governments say it is not for sale and only Greenlanders can determine their future. President Donald Trump has said he wants the United States to take over the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island, and has not ruled out force. His vice president, JD Vance, visited a U.S. military base there in March. Macron, the first foreign leader to visit Greenland since Trump's explicit threats to 'get' the island, was invited by the prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark. He has said his visit is meant to prevent any 'preying' on the territory. Macron warns against 'peace that is a capitulation' in Ukraine 'France has stood by us since the first statements about taking our land emerged. This support is both necessary and gratifying,' Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote on Facebook days ahead of Macron's visit. Asked if Macron would deliver an explicit message to the United States during his visit, an adviser to Macron told reporters: 'The trip is a signal in itself,' without mentioning Trump. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told RTL radio on Sunday: 'Greenland is a European territory and it is normal that Europe and notably France show their interest.' According to an IFOP poll for published on Saturday, 77% of the French and 56% of Americans disapprove of an annexation of Greenland by the U.S. and 43% of the French would approve using French military power to prevent a U.S. invasion. Macron will visit the capital Nuuk, as well as a hydropower station funded by the EU and a glacier, and discuss Arctic security and climate change with his hosts. Though Denmark is an EU member, Greenland is outside the bloc. The French adviser said the visit would be an opportunity to discuss how to give Greenland's association partnership with the EU a 'new dimension'. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made several visits to Paris after Trump's threats to seek French and European backing, and has placed orders for French-made surface-to-air missiles, in a shift of focus for Copenhagen. Enlisting the EU's only nuclear power is a way for Denmark, long one of Washington's most loyal allies in Europe, to project a form of hard power towards a suddenly more aggressive United States, said Florian Vidal of the Paris-based IFRI think tank. 'The Trump administration's more aggressive posture is a shock that makes the French vision of Europe, one that is more autonomous, appear more reasonable for Denmark,' he said. 'From a Nordic point of view, France is a military power that counts.'
India Today
14-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Macron visits Greenland in solidarity with Denmark after Trump's annexation threats
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Greenland on Sunday, in a show of solidarity with Denmark meant to send a signal of European resolve after US President Donald Trump threatened to take over the is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark with the right to declare independence. Both the Greenland and Danish governments say it is not for sale and only Greenlanders can determine their Donald Trump has said he wants the United States to take over the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island, and has not ruled out force. His vice president, JD Vance, visited a US military base there in March. Macron, the first foreign leader to visit Greenland since Trump's explicit threats to "get" the island, was invited by the prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark. He has said his visit is meant to prevent any "preying" on the territory."France has stood by us since the first statements about taking our land emerged. This support is both necessary and gratifying," Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote on Facebook days ahead of Macron's if Macron would deliver an explicit message to the United States during his visit, an adviser to Macron told reporters: "The trip is a signal in itself," without mentioning to an IFOP poll for published on Saturday, 77 per cent of the French and 56 per cent of Americans disapprove of an annexation of Greenland by the US. And 43 per cent of the French would approve using French military power to prevent a US will visit the capital Nuuk, as well as a hydropower station funded by the EU and a glacier, and discuss Arctic security and climate change with his Denmark is an EU member, Greenland is outside the bloc. The French adviser said the visit will be an opportunity to discuss how to give Greenland's association partnership with the EU a "new dimension".Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made several visits to Paris after Trump's threats to seek French and European backing, and has placed orders for French-made surface-to-air missiles, in a shift of focus for the EU's only nuclear power is a way for Denmark, long one of Washington's most loyal allies in Europe, to project a form of hard power towards a suddenly more aggressive United States, Florian Vidal of the Paris-based IFRI think-tank said."The Trump administration's more aggressive posture is a shock that makes the French vision of Europe, one that is more autonomous, appear more reasonable for Denmark," he said. "From a Nordic point of view, France is a military power that counts."Must Watch
