Most of us have done it. Posted a photo on social media designed to be read in a certain way by a certain someone. Often partially clothed or at the very least in our best light, these pictures are known as thirst traps and were common currency online way before Instagram was a thing. (Back then we posted song lyrics as our MSN status to send the desired message.)

And as with everything popular online it has started to make its way into the political world.

Last week, President Macron became the latest politician to pose for such a shot; pictured mid-punch in behind the scenes photos from a recent boxing training session. The photo was taken by one of his staff photographers. Black and white, looking away from the camera, toned arms on show – check, check, check.

But who was the desired audience? Some have suggested the photo, which came after Macron postured about putting troops on the ground in Ukraine, was a show of strength aimed at Russian President Putin, a man only too familiar with the thirst trap, having been posting half-naked snaps online for years.

Macron might, commentators........

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