Macron Boosts French Military Spending Amidst Heightened Global Threats

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant increase in military spending, aiming to reach $74.8 billion by 2027. This decision follows Macron's assessment of a heightened global threat landscape, particularly citing Russia as a major concern and highlighting what he perceives as American disengagement. He emphasized the need for European self-reliance in security and characterized the current international order as one governed by the 'law of the strongest'. The increase, representing a doubling of military spending since 2017, comes despite France's budgetary constraints and reflects a shift towards a more assertive military posture. While the increase falls short of NATO's target of 5% of GDP by 2035, it signifies France's commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities in the face of perceived threats.