In May 2025, during the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania, a video of Turkish President Reçep Tayyip Erdoğan grabbing the French President's finger and refusing to shake his hand went viral on social media. This clash was not the first time such an incident between the two leaders occurred. In 2020, Erdoğan said that Macron needed mental treatment over an argument when the French president defended the country’s policy of laïcité after a teacher got beheaded. The personal tension between Macron and Erdoğan illustrates the growing geopolitical rivalry between Ankara and Paris.

As the Global South receives greater attention for its rising geopolitical stature, many countries are seeking to gain ground toward that bloc. One of these countries is France; however, its appeal in the Global South varies depending on the region. As a result, some view France as a partner against American hegemony, while others see it as a neo-colonial and imperialistic power. Ever since the Russians invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the word “Global South” seems to have made a resurgence within public discourse, with France being one of them. Aside from these rhetorical statements, does France have an effective policy that appeals to the Global South? The answer is it’s complicated, depending on the issue. 

As the US and EU focus elsewhere, Italy and Turkey have increased cooperation in the Mediterranean. Despite differing foreign policy objectives, they share common interests in stabilizing Libya and playing a more active role in the Mediterranean’s security.