As much drama as Macron's statements have generated, this isn't out of character for France.

France has always talked shit about the Americans since the start of NATO. Usually disagreeing about American foreign policy and how barbaric it is, while the French deploy troops over Mali "to quell an Islamic insurgency"

And, for France, it comes from a place of jealousy.

This latest row was a desperate attempt by Macron to be seen as a major peacemaker, as cringe as that is. Macron, seeing a weakened Germany, wants to do something that catapults France back into the EU driving seat. France, having the most contained economy in Europe, wasn't as affected by the loss of Russian energy supplies. And with the UK out of the EU and Germany facing economic hardships, why not French it up a bit and get froggy?! So far it hasn't worked great in Macron's favor.

Further down the line, France wants better standing in case Germany reawakens and starts looking West again. German mobilization is tolerated for now as long as Russia is the big baddie. Once that's gone there's going to be lots of nervous neighbors wondering what Germany is planning to do next. That's a problem way down the line however.

As much drama as Macron's statements have generated, this isn't out of character for France.

France has always talked shit about the Americans since the start of NATO. Usually disagreeing about American foreign policy and how barbaric it is, while the French deploy troops over Mali "to quell an Islamic insurgency"

And, for France, it comes from a place of jealousy.

This latest row was a desperate attempt by Macron to be seen as a major peacemaker, as cringe as that is. Macron, seeing a weakened Germany, wants to do something that catapults France back into the EU driving seat. France, having the most contained economy in Europe, wasn't as affected by there loss of Russian energy supplies. And with the UK out of the EU and Germany facing economic hardships, why not French it up a big and get froggy?! So far it hasn't worked great in Macron's favor.

Further down the line, France wants better standing in case Germany reawakens and starts looking West again. German mobilization is tolerated for now as long as Russia is the big baddie. Once that's gone there's going to be lots of nervous neighbors wondering what Germany is planning to do next. That's a problem way down the line however.