France may say that the war in the Middle East is "not our war" - but they are rushing to make some money off of it.
French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, is setting out today (Wednesday) on a three-day tour of Gulf states, aimed at deepening and renewing security partnerships between Paris and countries in the region.
The visit comes against a backdrop of ongoing regional tensions and temporary ceasefires in the Iran and Lebanon arenas. It is part of a broader French effort to build a meaningful Franco-Gulf security architecture suited to the realities of modern hybrid warfare – including the extensive use of drones, ballistic missiles, and artificial intelligence.
The tour begins with an official dinner in Saudi Arabia, where Barrot is expected to meet Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. He will then travel to Qatar for diplomatic meetings, visit French troops in Abu Dhabi and meet Emirati leaders, and on Friday conclude the trip in Oman with a meeting with Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.