France

Clearly the diplomatic phase of the Georgian War has gotten under way and at this point at least, both the stakes and nature of the bargaining chips remain unclear. [more]

The recognition by Russia of Abkhaz and South Ossetian independence on Tuesday says more about Russia’s broader geopolitical aims than it does about its intentions regarding the separatist regions. [more]

The following is an internal Stratfor document produced to provide high-level guidance to our analysts. This document is not a forecast, but rather a series of guidelines for understanding and evaluating events, as well as suggestions on areas for focus. [more]

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Aug. 15 that he has finally signed the six-point cease-fire agreement. [more]

French President Nicholas Sarkozy heads from Moscow to Tbilisi where he will present Georgia with a peace proposal on Wednesday. If accepted by Georgia, the deal will significantly impact the geopolitical dynamic of the region. [more]

Two gigantic French energy companies -- publicly owned Gaz de France and private Suez –- have agreed to merge into a single energy titan. [more]

In the midst of France's struggles with immigration policies regarding Muslims, one of the highest-ranking Muslim women in France has voiced support for a court ruling denying citizenship to a woman who wears the burqa. [more]

The following are internal Stratfor documents produced to provide high-level guidance to our analysts. These documents are not forecasts, but rather a series of guidelines for understanding and evaluating events, as well as suggestions on areas for focus. [more]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing to launch his pet project -– the Union for the Mediterranean. [more]

An unusually active third quarter awaits France, the new president of the European Union, and a season of recuperation lies ahead for Russia, as it gathers strength to deal with new economic tensions. A podcast series examining key issues in Stratfor’s third-quarter forecast continues with Eurasia analyst Lauren Goodrich. [more]

The G-8 -- the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Canada, Italy and Russia -- gathered Monday for a summit that will seek to discuss and reach agreements on topics such as climate change and high oil and food prices. [more]

The following are internal Stratfor documents produced to provide high-level guidance to our analysts. These documents are not forecasts, but rather a series of guidelines for understanding and evaluating events, as well as suggestions on areas for focus. [more]

Israeli police released the name and background of a man killed June 24 by a gunshot wound at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv during French president Nicholas Sarkozy's departure. [more]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s statement Tuesday that his country would rejoin NATO signals a shift in national strategy that has been in place for more than 40 years. [more]

France has released a White Book on Defense and Homeland Security. [more]

Now that Ireland has rejected the European Union's latest attempt at a governing treaty, France will take the lead in redefining the bloc, and it will do so by further loosening the union's internal bonds. [more]

It could be years before Europe makes another concerted effort at tighter integration -- if it even wants to. [more]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has laid out a proposal on immigration crackdowns as a key reform when France takes over the EU presidency in July. [more]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has laid some of the groundwork for a forthcoming defense strategy. [more]

Angola's main interest in the May 23 visit of France's president lies in the ability of French energy company Total to tap the southern African nation's ultradeep oil reserves. [more]