Macron prepares France for ‘an age of nuclear weapons’ as Iran war rages
Al Jazeera
The French president, whose term ends in a year, described his plans for expansion as forward deterrence. What’s behind his move?
Paris, France – A couple of days after the United States and Israel launched their assault on Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on March 2 that France would bolster its nuclear arsenal and strengthen ties with fellow European Union countries.
He called the policy “forward deterrence”.
With the speech, Macron demonstrated a show of strength in a rapidly changing world, where European allies are hesitant to rely on the US’s nuclear protection.
France currently has the fourth biggest nuclear arsenal in the world.
“What I want more than anything, as you will have understood, is for Europeans to regain control of their own destiny,” Macron said.
‘Deliberately attacking civilians, civilian objects amounts to war crime,’ UN says after resurgence in Israeli strikes.
Kent, who advised Trump and national intelligence director on ‘terror’ threats, says Iran ‘posed no imminent threat’.
The signing of Pakistan bowler Abrar Ahmed by Hundred franchise Sunrisers bucked trend by Indian-owned teams.
The French president, whose term ends in a year, described his plans for expansion as forward deterrence. What’s behind his move?
The conflict has mutated into a zero-sum collision of competing messianic frameworks.
Afghan officials say a suspected Pakistani air strike hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, killing hundreds.
Iran says at least 56 of its heritage sites damaged or destroyed in war.
Iran’s Araghchi calls for global condemnation of US-Israel ‘military aggression’ that disrupted transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Sam Kerr nets the opener as Australia beat China 2-1 to reach the final of the 2026 Women’s AFC Asian Cup.
From energy exports to tourism, the economies of Gulf nations are at risk from a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Afghan authorities say a Pakistani attack has killed hundreds of civilians; Islamabad rejects the claim as ‘false’.
As British pomp and pageantry await the Nigerian leader, analysts expect the visit will focus on the economy. But some in the diaspora are sceptical.