Page 4 | Macron sends ships to defend British bases

TomeTome · 05/03/2026 07:58

Surely we are looking for calm slow response to deescalate not frantic scurrying towards war? We have quite enough aggression in the region.

Twiglets1 · 05/03/2026 05:35

Apparently the HMS Dragon isn’t even leaving until next week and will then take a fortnight to get to Cyprus 🤦‍♀️

Edited as thought it was HMS Duncan but just read it’s HMS Dragon.

KatiePricesKnickers · 03/03/2026 19:20

HappyFace2025 · 03/03/2026 13:46

So we are reliant on our nearest European neighbour to defend our bases in Cyprus 🤔

Hopefully this will trigger some serious spending on Defence.

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 18:45

SerendipityJane · 03/03/2026 18:16

NATO, innit ?

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Yes 😀

SerendipityJane · 03/03/2026 18:16

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 16:02

Who knows @HappyFace2025 maybe he's just trying to do a decent thing and help to protect RAF Akrotiri with no agenda.

When the chips are down, Europeans & their allies tend to stick together.

NATO, innit ?

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 16:02

Who knows @HappyFace2025 maybe he's just trying to do a decent thing and help to protect RAF Akrotiri with no agenda.

When the chips are down, Europeans & their allies tend to stick together.

Original poster

HappyFace2025 · 03/03/2026 15:51

HappilyFreeNow · 03/03/2026 15:46

Which is precisely why he needs to toady in the hope of a Blairish sinecure.

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Who do you think will offer him a 'Blairite sinecure'? He's more likely interested in the EU than America. I must ask my French DP what he thinks is the reason behind Macron's decision.

OP posts:

HappilyFreeNow · 03/03/2026 15:46

HappyFace2025 · 03/03/2026 15:00

He doesn't need to 'toady' to anyone -
he has nothing to gain as he won't be president after next year's elections!

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Which is precisely why he needs to toady in the hope of a Blairish sinecure.

drivinmecrazy · 03/03/2026 15:45

I think it might be to make a point that we have other allies even without US.
obviously we might need American force at some point in the future, but right now I think it’s a strong message to send that we do have European allies willing to help in our defence.
this war is so much bigger than Iran.
it’s about Israel posturing that America has their back. Neither are states that, currently, we should look toward for any moral piety.

Original poster

HappyFace2025 · 03/03/2026 15:00

HappilyFreeNow · 03/03/2026 14:57

Macton is posturing to toady to the US (that he has previously derided on the fashionable ‘Anti-Trump’ woke agenda) because he v is toast next year and trying to play now with the big boys to get a role.
Blatant opportunism, but, hey, that’s him ..

He doesn't need to 'toady' to anyone -
he has nothing to gain as he won't be president after next year's elections!

OP posts:

HappilyFreeNow · 03/03/2026 14:57

Macton is posturing to toady to the US (that he has previously derided on the fashionable ‘Anti-Trump’ woke agenda) because he v is toast next year and trying to play now with the big boys to get a role.
Blatant opportunism, but, hey, that’s him ..

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 14:47

Tut, we need to stop dithering and get a warship there - apparently HMS Duncan, the most likely choice, will take about a week to arrive if it leaves today.

Anyway, thanks Macron. He is sending French ships and planes to defend RAF Akrotiri from Iranian attacks.

Greece dispatched four F-16 fighter jets to the island on Monday. Two frigates, one equipped with its anti-drone Centauros jamming system, were also sailing to Cyprus.