France to Build Military Base in UAE
France will soon become the only Western nation outside of the United States with a permanent military base in the Persian Gulf, reports the Washington Post. French President Nicolas Sarkozy signed the deal with United Arab Emirates President Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan during a three-day tour through Persian Gulf states.
The base, set to open in 2009, will house at least 400 French soldiers and support personnel.
While the move may look good for relations between east and west, it reflects two dangerous shifts for Middle East politics, centering around the waning U.S. strength in the region and the waxing influence of Iran—and Europe. America’s lack of decisive victory in Iraq and the imminent presidential change only decrease Washington’s credibility as a powerful ally.
The other option for Mideast states is Europe—and Europe appears ready to collaborate in countering the Iranian threat. “French officials said the U.A.E. military base … is intended in part to warn Iran against taking steps toward any of its neighbors.” France is already a major weapons supplier to the U.A.E. An active member in the European Union, France will now have troops stationed in Abu Dhabi, just across the gulf from Iran.
The establishment of the Abu Dhabi base is just the beginning of Europe moving its military might into the Middle East. Source
The base, set to open in 2009, will house at least 400 French soldiers and support personnel.
While the move may look good for relations between east and west, it reflects two dangerous shifts for Middle East politics, centering around the waning U.S. strength in the region and the waxing influence of Iran—and Europe. America’s lack of decisive victory in Iraq and the imminent presidential change only decrease Washington’s credibility as a powerful ally.
The other option for Mideast states is Europe—and Europe appears ready to collaborate in countering the Iranian threat. “French officials said the U.A.E. military base … is intended in part to warn Iran against taking steps toward any of its neighbors.” France is already a major weapons supplier to the U.A.E. An active member in the European Union, France will now have troops stationed in Abu Dhabi, just across the gulf from Iran.
The establishment of the Abu Dhabi base is just the beginning of Europe moving its military might into the Middle East. Source
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