[Cicero]

The International Herald Tribune is now wholly owned by the New York Times, and seen as its way to enter and influence the EU. So this is a remarkable column by a respected heavyweight to appear in that venue.

It is certainly accurate. What's new to me is that the French intellectual establishment is waking up to the position, and saying pretty much what we are saying. Chirac bet every cent of prestige that France has, and he has lost.

I would disagree that Chirac is revaluing the situation. Why would his wife publicly praise Hillary Clinton at the very moment that Laura Bush is paying a reconciliating visit? No, Chirac is hopeless. IMHO we should NOT forgive France until such time as they have proven themselves by shedding blood on our behalf, as we have so many times shed blood for them. And I don't mean some kind of token blocking force that never sees combat, such as they sent to Gulf War I.

[sarasota]

What's new to me is what took the French so long to get it.
"Intellectual establishment" or otherwise. Shows you how steeped in tradition they've been. Blinders off at last?

[untenured]

The International Herald Tribune is now wholly owned by the New York Times, and seen as its way to enter and influence the EU. So this is a remarkable column by a respected heavyweight to appear in that venue.

Actually, John Vinocur writes these kind of articles on France a lot. To get a sense of it do a search under "Vinocur" on the IHT web site.