France Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Why France Is Withdrawing Military Forces from Senegal

France’s decision to withdraw its military forces from Senegal in 2024–2025 marks a major shift in its Africa strategy. This move is driven by a combination of regional, political, and strategic factors, reflecting…

July 17, 2025France, Senegal

Geopolitics Governance

Prospects of New Caledonian Statehood: Analysis and Strategic Implications

1. Probability of New Caledonia Gaining Statehood Medium-High Probability (50–65%) in the medium term (5–10 years). After the violent unrest in May–June 2024, the long-standing Kanak independence movement regained momentum, especially among younger, marginalized…

July 14, 2025France, New Caledonia

Coup Democracy Governance profile

Ibrahim Traoré, Russian Influence, and U.S. Policy Challenges

Ibrahim Traoré, the current leader of Burkina Faso, is a military officer who took power through a coup in 2022. Here is an analysis based on his public actions, speeches,…

February 25, 2025Burkina Faso, France, Russia, USA, Wagner Group

Intelligence ops Propaganda and Disinformation

Russian Military Intelligence Involved in Campaigns to Discredit First Ladies in NATO Countries

Russian military intelligence has been confirmed to be involved in a campaign to discredit the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron and female politicians in Europe. Journalist Rey, who previously…

February 4, 2025France, GRU, Russia

Geopolitics Governance

French Troop Withdrawals and Africa’s Geopolitical Realignment

The push to withdraw French troops from West Africa has gained momentum due to a confluence of historical, political, and social factors, as well as shifting regional and global dynamics.…

January 3, 2025Cote d’Ivoire, France

Geoeconomics Geopolitics

France’s Western Sahara shift

After years of diplomatic tensions, France has reversed course on its decades-old position by recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara. In late July, Paris formally endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for…

August 9, 2024Algeria, France, Western Sahara

Conflict Intelligence ops

Russian sabotage activity in Europe: NATO gets reasons for implementing Article5 of the Treaty

Russia has been changing its tactics in the West from conducting hybridoperations to acts of sabotage. Thus, NATO countries has received a reason toimplement Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.We…

June 11, 2024France, NATO, Poland, Russia

Intelligence ops Psyops

Russia intensifies subversive activity against France

Though there was a time when the Kremlin was mainly concentrated on attempts to kick France out of Africa and deprive it of access to the natural resources in the region, now Moscow is increasing the…

June 4, 2024France

Geopolitics

Chad heads towards Russia’s protectorate

Chad is likely to become the next African nation where Russia is going to replace the Western footprint. This perspective goes in line with the Kremlin’s pattern of ousting Paris…

April 30, 2024Chad, France, Russia, Wagner Group

Intelligence ops National Security

Farmer protests in Poland could be staged in Moscow based on tested “Yellow Vests” model

Europe will imminently face Russia-orchestrated active operations involving public unrest. Analysis shows the ongoing protests of Polish farmers are similar to the “Yellow Vests” effort in France, where Russian military intelligence several years ago played an important role in supporting, accompanying, and radicalizing the protest movement. Farmer…

March 8, 2024France, GRU, Poland

France