This tension is at the very heart of France’s political project. Historically, France turns inward in moments of crisis, and after a period of chaos emerges unified and stronger. France is currently at the beginning of an inward turn. The country’s strategic position is weak, its economy is stagnant, and its society is divided. To learn more about how French presidential elections are a useful barometer for understanding France’s domestic position, check out or recent Deep Dive, “Nationalism and Elections in France.”
The Geopolitics of the American President