logo
The US diplomatic envoys on a mission to 'evangelize' Europe

The US diplomatic envoys on a mission to 'evangelize' Europe

LeMonde18-07-2025
The two diplomats handed out business cards adorned with a gold eagle, the symbol of the US foreign ministry. The first, with a fresh Texas university graduate's smile and a sharp suit, might seem naive but is already a senior adviser, enjoying significant autonomy. The second, sporting glasses and a side part, holds the title of Director for European and Eurasian Affairs.
Samuel D. Samson and Christopher J. Anderson both work in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, a branch of the State Department established in 1977 to "help advance individual freedom and democratic liberties worldwide" (so its website claims). In reality, they are the spearhead of an interference operation led by the Trump administration across Europe, under the guise of defending freedom of expression.
On May 28, the two diplomats requested a meeting in Paris with three members of the leadership of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an NGO that defends in press freedom. The meeting was organized by the US embassy. RSF, well known in the US, seemed to them the ideal contact for the investigation they were conducting in western Europe, where, according to a speech given in February in Munich by US Vice President JD Vance, freedom of expression was said to be "in retreat."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

European dockworkers demand halt to arms shipments to Israel
European dockworkers demand halt to arms shipments to Israel

Euronews

time3 hours ago

  • Euronews

European dockworkers demand halt to arms shipments to Israel

European dockworkers are calling on EU governments to halt arms shipments and withdraw diplomatic support for Israel. They stress that international treaties state that weapons should not be exported to war zones where human rights are violated. 'Over the past two years, we've seen an increase in the movement of weapons through civilian ports,' says Josè Nivoi, a key figure in the Genoese dockworkers' movement. 'We've filed a number of legal complaints. An excuse they often use is that they frame it as a private transaction rather than a state-to-state arms transfer — as if they were trading bananas.' For years Nivoi has collected evidence about arms cargo loads in the port as a union manager. Dockworkers accuse authorities of deliberately keeping silent about controversial shipments. 'In Italy, Law no. 185 of 1990 in principle prohibits the transit and shipment of weapons to countries at war. We are calling for civilian ports not to be used to move arms.' In 2024, Italy announced that it had suspended shipments of military equipment to Israel, while honouring contracts signed before 7 October 2023. This translates into over €6 million in weapons, ammunition, maintenance and spare parts. Facts and figures on Israel's weapons' imports Israel imports almost 70% of its arsenal from the US, the world's largest arms exporter. Germany is Israel's second supplier. Since 7 October 2023, it has exported 485 million euros worth of weapons. Italy ranks third, supplying less than 1%. The UN Arms Trade Treaty and the European Common Position state that human rights violations and war crimes should prevent such sales. The EU Council Common Position is legally binding but it lacks enforcement. Member states can interpret it differently. Following the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands have halted or restricted exports. There's little scrutiny over Hamas' weapons, mostly from Iran, which has not signed the UN arms trade treaty. Why does Israel receive military support from EU countries? The EU recently found that Israel is breaching its human rights obligations in Gaza. So why does Israel still receive military support from European countries? Giorgio Beretta, one of the most authoritative Italian analysts on the arms trade and a long-standing voice of the Italian Peace and Disarmament Network, explains that treaties are voluntary and then each country must commit to them. 'The regulations are sound. The problem lies in their enforcement, because there is always a wide margin of discretion,' says Giorgio Beretta of the Permanent Observatory on Small Arms, OPAL. Beretta says the information provided to national governments, which are responsible for ensuring weapons are not used to commit human rights violations, is often too vague. 'A general category might be indicated, such as 'aircraft' or 'naval vessels', but there's a big difference between aircraft used for ground attacks and aircraft used for rescue. By the time a parliament reviews exports, the weapons have often already been delivered.' In May, the EU announced a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement after finding Israel in breach of the trade deal's human rights clause, citing violations in Gaza and the West Bank. By July, the EU had postponed any actions, let alone any sanctions, including a possible arms embargo — yet again exposing its deep-rooted divisions over Israel.

France's Macron says EU-US trade deal 'not the end of it'
France's Macron says EU-US trade deal 'not the end of it'

France 24

time5 hours ago

  • France 24

France's Macron says EU-US trade deal 'not the end of it'

France 's President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday the European Union had not been "feared" enough in negotiations with the United States towards a trade deal, pledging to be "firm" in follow-up talks. "It's not the end of it," Macron told ministers during a cabinet meeting, according to participants. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clinched the framework accord with US President Donald Trump on Sunday after dashing to Scotland as the August 1 deadline loomed for steep levies that threatened to cripple Europe's economy. EU exports are now set to face tariffs of 15 percent on most products – higher than customs duties before Trump returned to the White House, but lower than his threatened 30 percent. The EU also committed to buy $750 billion of liquefied natural gas, oil and nuclear fuels from the United States split equally over three years, and pour $600 billion more in additional investments in the United States. "Europe does not see itself enough as a power yet. To be free, you have to be feared. We were not feared enough," Macron said. "France has always held a stance of being firm and demanding. It will continue to do so," he added. The European Union could obtain "new exemptions" in follow-up talks to firm up the deal in details, he said. He however said that negotiations had been held in "difficult circumstances" and that the deal at least "offered visibility and predictability" in the short term. "It preserved French and European interests" in important exporting sectors including aviation, he added. French Finance Minister Éric Lombard told reporters later on Wednesday that the EU's negotiating strategy with the US had not been vigorous enough. "There is the issue of the negotiation method, which within the European Union ... has perhaps not been as energetic or vigorous in certain phases, and this is what the President of the Republic said when he stated that we must improve our ability to be feared and to carry weight in negotiations," Lombard said after a meeting at the finance ministry.

Macron says US-EU deal 'not the end' of talks
Macron says US-EU deal 'not the end' of talks

LeMonde

time6 hours ago

  • LeMonde

Macron says US-EU deal 'not the end' of talks

France's President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday, July 30, the European Union had not been "feared" enough in negotiations with the United States towards a trade deal, pledging to be "firm" in follow-up talks. "It's not the end of it," Macron told ministers during a cabinet meeting, according to participants. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clinched the framework accord with US President Donald Trump on Sunday after dashing to Scotland as the August 1 deadline loomed for steep levies that threatened to cripple Europe's economy. EU exports are now set to face tariffs of 15% on most products – higher than customs duties before Trump returned to the White House, but much lower than his threatened 30%. "Europe does not see itself enough as a power yet. To be free, you have to be feared. We were not feared enough," said Macron. "France has always held a stance of being firm and demanding. It will continue to do so," he added. The European Union could obtain "new exemptions" in follow-up talks to firm up the deal in details, he said. He however said that negotiations had been held in "difficult circumstances" and that the deal at least "offered visibility and predictability" in the short term. "It preserved French and European interests" in important exporting sectors including aviation, he added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store