Macron says focus is reopening Hormuz as energy shortage fears grow
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that his priority remained the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, after Total Energies chief Patrick Pouyanne warned that a prolonged Iran war could trigger global energy shortages.
Speaking in Athens alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron said the aim was to restore freedom of navigation through the strait in line with international law and without tolls, so that conditions could gradually return to normal in the coming days and weeks.
His remarks came a day after Pouyanne said, the world could face energy scarcity if the conflict continued for another two or three months, warning that roughly 20% of global oil and gas supply normally passes through Hormuz and could not be stranded without major consequences.
Macron also said geopolitical panic could itself fuel shortages. More than a dozen countries have said they are ready to join a France- and Britain-led mission to protect shipping in the waterway when conditions allow.
Why would anyone need France, Britain and other nations to supply naval force to keep a waterway open... "when conditions allow"?
Isn't that a little late?
I had to make myself quit laughing so I could post this.
“When conditions allow” is the subtle admission that a dozen countries can’t scrape together enough functioning warships to contest a Shipping Lane vital to their own security and energy needs.
What did they do with all the USDs we sent them?
Civilian infrastructure, welfare programs of one sort or another, cultural projects, corruption, fronts to launder money back domestically etc. The list goes on.
Not to mention deliberate efforts by U.S intelligence services and strategic planners to shift European priorities. Given it was the Cold War and Soviet Citizens idea of the West was shaped by Western Europe. So investing heavily into cultural projects, infrastructure, and assorted things that made the West seem superior was considered a priority. Versus Military expenditures. As the U.S Defense umbrella was considered a given. No thought was given by anyone to what happens when the Defense umbrella is no longer considered a given.
Not to mention the cultural shift into essentially the polar opposite of the Europe of the early 20th century. Given WW1 and WW2 plus the demise of the colonial Empires leaving long running scars on the European psyche
When conditions allow? Oh my fucking sides hurt lol!!!!
Perfect. Frogs can swim.