Policy Breakfast with Roger Cohen

On Friday, September 13th, the French-American Foundation held its first Policy Breakfast of the fall season.

We were honored to welcome Roger Cohen, Paris Bureau Chief of The New York Times, who offered a compelling analysis of the current political situation in France and the broader implications of recent events for the European Union and global affairs.

The discussion was expertly moderated by Stéphane Dujarric de la Rivière, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, who spoke at a recent Foundation Policy Soirée in February.

Mr. Dujarric initiated the discussion by questioning Mr. Cohen about the ongoing political situation in France, particularly in light of the recent dissolution of the French Parliament. Mr. Cohen highlighted the enduring political challenges facing France, including the fractured state of the newly elected Parliament. He also discussed critiques of President Macron, both domestically and internationally, despite his success in hosting the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Expanding the discussion, Mr. Dujarric inquired about the impact of France’s political situation on Europe’s leadership role. Mr. Cohen pointed out that Europe’s influence on the global stage is not as strong as it once was and emphasized the importance of the upcoming U.S. presidential election as a motivator for European unity. He noted key challenges, including France’s relationship with the EU and the current fragility of Franco-German relations.

During a dynamic Q&A session, Mr. Cohen and the audience explored topics such as President Biden’s military relationship with France, the impact of President Macron’s decisions on the war in Ukraine, the future of France’s political landscape following President Macron’s presidency, and the implications of the U.S. presidential election for Franco-American relations.

This program was generously hosted by Foundation Chair, Edward C. Wallace at the New York offices of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.