Last week, America’s allies put up a united front against the Houthis in the Red Sea. Well — not quite. France, which has the European Union’s biggest navy, and Spain were both absent from the US-led “ final warning” to rebels to stop firing missiles and drones at cargo ships sailing through the vital trade corridor.

A transatlantic rift? More like a wrinkle. The EU has strongly condemned these attacks before, and other members like Germany and Italy were signatories. But maritime coalitions are highly political and complex to structure. Like the UK and US, France hasn’t been afraid to engage the Houthis directly on the Red Sea, but it also has a de-Gaulle-style preference for navigating its own path independent of NATO. President Emmanuel Macron reportedly sees a more muscular response as likely if disruption grows.

QOSHE - Red Sea Dangers Grow for America's Wary Allies - Lionel Laurent
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Red Sea Dangers Grow for America's Wary Allies

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08.01.2024

Last week, America’s allies put up a united front against the Houthis in the Red Sea. Well — not quite. France, which has the European Union’s biggest navy, and Spain were both absent from the US-led........

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