Politics

Two Speeches, One Podium: Macron and Trump's UN Split Screen

Hours apart at the UN, Trump claimed victory in Gaza and Macron called it a spectacle. Julien on what each man needed the week to mean.

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The Diesel Mène

Washington threatened to shut off diesel exports unless Europe opened its emergency reserves; on October 2, after a call with Trump and a G7 videoconference chaired by Macron, the allies agreed to release 100 million barrels. A mène played with fuel instead of boules — and the shooter holding the biggest threat.

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A Boycott in Orbit

Four American space companies pulled out of Emmanuel Macron's Paris space summit under pressure from Washington — and France answered by drawing its own circle in the sky.

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The Abyss Is Not for Sale

Washington has ordered a fast track for deep-sea mining in international waters. Paris calls it a violation of international law — and France's ambassador for the oceans has an answer: the abyss is not for sale.

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The Hundred-Percent Tir

Washington is threatening 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne to force Paris to drop its tax on American tech giants — the biggest tir in a trade mène that has been running since 2019.

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The Never-Ending Mène

The filibuster is a round of pétanque where nobody shoots: endless pointing, no tir, and a cochonnet nobody is allowed to reach.

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Carreau Season

The most beautiful shot in pétanque — striking the opponent's boule so cleanly that yours takes its place — is also the perfect description of a certain kind of political moment.

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