MBS in the City of Light: In a world of realpolitik, does West value economic interests over values?

French President Emmanuel Macron's reception of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Élysée exemplifies realpolitik in its purest form. Saudi Arabia's strategic importance across energy, investment, regional security, and Middle Eastern diplomacy makes permanent isolation untenable for Western powers pursuing balanced geopolitical interests.

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Jean-Emile Jammine is pleased to welcome Susanne Koelbl, Der Spiegel's award-winning foreign correspondent. According to Koelbl,, Emmanuel Macron’s decision to welcome Mohammed bin Salman at the Élysée reflects realpolitik in its purest form: 'Saudi Arabia had become too important for energy, regional security, investment and diplomacy in the Middle East to be permanently isolated. So Macron wanted to establish France as an independent, balanced power between the Mediterranean and the Gulf."

MBS in the City of Light: In a world of realpolitik, does West value economic interests over values?

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