Why does France need a military base in the Persian Gulf?
By Emile Tayyip Abandoning France’s traditional policy of solely selling arms to Persian Gulf states, President Nicolas Sarkozy signed a deal with Abu Dhabi for a permanent military base of up to 500 French troops in the UAE; a move that reflects the new French stance towards Iran as well as its closer ties with Washington. According to an article on the International Herald Tribune, the deal would enable France to project its troops into a crucial oil-producing region where many countries are concerned over Iran’s rising influence. France already has long-standing military cooperation deals with Arab Gulf states, including the UAE and Qatar. It has sold Mirage jet fighters and AMX-30 tanks to Abu Dhabi and has had a defence agreement with it since 1995. “”France responds to its friends,”” Sarkozy told journalists last week following the signing of the new military accord. “”France and the Emirates signed a reciprocal defense accord in 1995. Our friends from the Emirates asked that thi
