Name? Emmanuel Macron
Westphalian identity? French
Age? 48
Why is he in the news? In an interview on September 24, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that France would provide military support to Saudi Arabia. The operation is designed to protect Yanbu port from Houthi attacks. Macron emphasised that the French military would not engage in regional conflicts.
Why do we care? The Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi oil flowing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to punish the kingdom for its “oppressive siege” on Yemen. It also closes the Red Sea route that lets Saudi oil bypass Hormuz, which serves the Houthis’ Iranian allies. Macron’s government is the most active in Europe to turn verbal promises into an actual commitment. The UK deployed Royal Air Force Voyager tankers to assist Saudi with refuelling. Italy has suggested supporting Saudi Arabia by way of air defence. Just like his European counterparts, Macron is under growing pressure over a burgeoning energy crisis and with this decision tries to signal Paris’ commitment to securing energy flows and curbing energy costs ahead of the winter.
Why should you care? Yanbu functions as Saudi Arabia’s principal crude oil export terminal outside the blocked Strait of Hormuz. Connected to the East-West Petroline, it can transport over 5 million barrels of oil every day. Escalating conflict in the region threatens further rises in fuel prices for all of us, which are already at recent highs.
Who else cares? Following Houthi attacks, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) reached out to U.S. President Donald Trump for help. Despite an initial commitment to military strikes, Trump reversed the order, leaving MBS on his own. This brought MBS closer to his European allies. Macron is hoping to fill this vacuum and emphasise France’s status as a major power.
Any further comments? Macron has been active in defending the UAE from Iranian drones using the Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi and Rafale fighter jets.
