The Accordions of War, Part II
France’s only aircraft carrier is heading home according to the BBC. But they don’t seem convinced.
"I assumed the Charles de Gaulle would steam on to the Gulf," said Ewan Southby-Tailyour, editor of Jane's Amphibious and Special Forces. "I think the statement about it returning home might be just "today's statement".If, as analysts suspect, the Charles de Gaulle eventually turns round once again and sails back towards the Gulf, it will take around two days' extra sailing to get back to the eastern Mediterranean.
So if this is mere posturing, it only costs the French 2 days to make a political statement.
From there - or from closer to the Gulf - the French vessel could be used to deploy French aircraft to join any war on Iraq. Around 40 aircraft are on board, including fighter jets and reconnaissance planes.Although France is still strongly backing extended weapons inspections, it sees war as a last resort, and is thought to fear being sidelined militarily if war does finally come.
This is quite a cynical posture by the liberal BBC (of course the Brits can rarely resist a chance to slam the French). Surely the French wouldn’t be so hypocritical as to actively attempt to fight the war if (when) it occurs?
I hope not. The military power of 40 French aircraft is insignificant compared to the forces already in the area provided by the Coalition of the Willing. I suspect the logistical efforts of trying to coordinate these minor forces would be more of a liability than an asset to the war effort.