Macron plays peacemaker while France burns

On October 29–30, Paris will once again host the grand diplomatic stage production known as the Paris Peace Forum, a meticulously choreographed gathering more about photo ops than peace talks. 

At the center of it all? President Emmanuel Macron, who, facing record-low popularity and political paralysis at home, has decided to pivot toward international affairs in a bid to regain some prestige, if not at home, then at least abroad.

With France grappling with institutional fatigue, and a disillusioned public, Macron now turns his gaze to Gaza, the Middle East, and world peace. Why fix domestic problems when you can host a glitzy summit with vague aspirations of “coordinated global action”?

According to the Forum’s schedule, the event will include weighty themes such as “How do Palestinians envision the future of Palestine?” and “One Peace, Many Partners: Coordinating US, Arab, European, and Civil Society Efforts”. There’s even a roundtable featuring Israeli-Palestinian civil society representatives.

Sounds inspiring — until you realize that France holds no real sway in the Middle East peace process and hasn’t for years. But never mind diplomacy — this is about optics, and Emmanuel Macron in the spotlight, looking serious and statesmanlike between dignitaries and diplomats, arms folded, brows furrowed.

The invited speakers? A familiar lineup of international NGOs, often disconnected from the realities on the ground and whose credibility varies widely. When it comes to “Israeli civil society,” the voices tend to be fringe or foreign-funded groups, rather than representatives of mainstream public opinion in Israel.

The result: a forum that claims to be balanced but is anything but — more of an echo chamber than a genuine platform for dialogue.

A Show With No Audience

Let’s be honest: nothing will come out of this “Forum for Peace” — no roadmaps, no resolutions, no breakthroughs. Just beautifully staged speeches and a glossy media package for Macron, who increasingly resembles a president in search of relevance.

But for him, that’s the point. In a country where he’s lost control of parliament and public opinion, Macron’s best shot at leadership now lies in front of a camera, not behind a desk.

So while the world’s real decision-makers hold talks in Doha, Washington, or Riyadh, Paris will once again serve as a set for diplomatic theatre, with Macron as its leading actor.

If peace had a passport, it probably wouldn’t bother showing up.