Suivons La France!

In the current American near-elation over rediscovering an ally in France, we should also learn some lessons on diplomacy. France has now let it be known that it will not deal with Syria until the Syrians help resolve the tragic farce of the non-election of Lebanon’s President. There is no question that Syrian-controlled Lebanese parliamentary factions are standing in the way (not that the March 14, i.e. “majority” coalition is not playing politics as well).

The Levant and France have long-standing ties, dating back to French interests in Lebanon in the 19th century and France’s control over Syria and Lebanon between WWI and WWII. Now, diplomatic ties are not being broken but rather, apparently, suspended de facto until Syria ends specific behavior that is not existential, and that it can engineer without humiliation. Subsequently, Syria would have reason to believe that relations with France would resume and presumably improve

Were American diplomacy to succeed in lumbering to a point where it could do similar things, it would be far more effective. Admittedly, the U.S. is the superpower, and thus far more visible and probably less agile. But were we to “normalize” our relationship with countries with which we have problems, and thus create leverage, we could more successfully affect their behavior.

We are a long way from that point. But those who are hoping to lead American diplomacy after 1/20/09 should keep it in mind.