Wherever one looks, France is confronted with a form of powerlessness that, by its very nature, will do nothing to counter the fundamental pessimism that, for years, has served to foster a collective vision among the country's inhabitants. All the efforts deployed by the president in recent weeks, aimed at demonstrating that France's voice still has influence on the international stage, have been swept aside by a series of forceful actions, set against a backdrop of challenges to the transatlantic alliance.

The speed with which a new world order, one dominated by force, is falling into place, and the unpredictable plays made by the United States' president, Donald Trump, who was elected on the promise of no longer accepting the burdens of America's global empire – only to end up bombing three Iranian nuclear sites under pressure from Israel – have all been steadily eroding the advantage Emmanuel Macron once claimed to have.

It is one thing to have foreseen, before others, Europe's vulnerability, as it had spent too long living off the dividends of peace. It is quite another to experience, as a daily and painful reality, the risk of Europe's marginalization. Until the European Union gives itself the means to defend itself and speeds up decision-making, it will continue to seem insignificant – and so will France. There is just a little time left before 2027 to chart a course on this issue.

You have 78.14% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.