Op-Eds - World news, culture and opinion

'Young people rallying for Gaza is not revolutionary, it is moral'

Political scientist Olivier Roy argues in an op-ed that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not being imported into France. Solidarity with Palestine, especially among the student elite, embodies a moral stance that has replaced politics.

Published on June 5, 2024, at 5:05 pm (Paris) Olivier Roy

Op-Ed

'Taxes paid by billionaires represent only around 0.3% of their wealth'

Economist Gabriel Zucman presents a proposal for a 2% tax on the world's 3,000 billionaires, as Brazil has already taken up.

Published on June 4, 2024, at 5:30 pm (Paris) Gabriel Zucman

Op-Ed

'Germany is irritated by Emmanuel Macron's portrayal of himself as Europe's leader'

The longstanding French-German alliance that has driven the EU forward appears to have stalled, with Germany's transatlantic leanings and reluctance to see France exercise military leadership as the sole nuclear power in the bloc hindering progress, writes Germany specialist Jacques-Pierre Gougeon.

Published on May 31, 2024, at 11:00 pm (Paris), updated on June 1, 2024, at 9:31 am Jacques-Pierre Gougeon

Op-Ed

'If the horrors of Britain's infected blood scandal lead to positive change, we have campaigners to thank'

British historian Andrew Seaton takes a look back at the United Kingdom's infected blood scandal and at the lessons to be learned to improve the country's public health system.

Published on May 31, 2024, at 12:05 pm (Paris), updated on May 31, 2024, at 1:00 pm Andrew Seaton

Op-Ed

'In Georgia, anti-government protests help redefine collective identity'

Opponents of the Georgian regime express a vision of the nation, as more open and modern, without breaking with tradition, writes researcher Silvia Serrano in Le Monde.

Published on May 31, 2024, at 12:08 am (Paris), updated on May 31, 2024, at 8:06 am Silvia Serrano

Op-Ed

'It's inappropriate to invite Russia to the D-Day commemorations on June 6'

The Soviet forces that fought Nazism during the Second World War were not limited to Russia. Vladimir Putin's Russia, which is waging an appalling war in Ukraine, should not be invited to the June 6 ceremonies, write a group of academics.

Published on May 30, 2024, at 5:59 pm (Paris), updated on June 3, 2024, at 2:34 pm Group letter

Op-Ed

New Caledonia: 'No colonial society can last forever'

Writer Eric Vuillard expresses his alarm at the French authorities' reaction to what is happening in the archipelago and deplores the French president's blindness to the Kanak.

Published on May 28, 2024, at 4:17 am (Paris), updated on May 28, 2024, at 7:42 am Eric Vuillard

Op-Ed

Global PFAS experts support proposed French law to ban certain uses of 'forever chemicals'

With the French Sénat voting on a bill banning the use of PFAS 'forever chemicals' in everyday products on May 30, world-renowned scientists specialized in these substances call on senators not to weaken this 'fundamental' bill through amendments.

Published on May 27, 2024, at 3:15 pm (Paris) Group letter

Column

Sociologist Dominique Méda: 'We need more European Union'

In a column, Méda argues that, beyond the criticisms leveled at Brussels, member states need a transnational space to debate and overcome their differences.

Published on May 27, 2024, at 1:21 am (Paris), updated on May 27, 2024, at 8:24 am Dominique Méda

Op-Ed

'President Raisi's death has little impact on the functioning of Iran's political system'

Political scientists Thierry Kellner and Mohammad-Reza Djalili point out that the death of the Iranian president should have no impact on the country's political course, since the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hold most of the power.

Published on May 25, 2024, at 1:17 pm (Paris) Thierry Kellner Mohammad-Reza Djalili

Op-Ed

'Under President Raisi, Iran's foreign and security policy became more aggressive'

Although short-lived, the Raisi presidency embodied a lasting shift in Iran's foreign and security policy, writes political scientist Benjamin Hautecouverture in an article for 'Le Monde.'

Published on May 25, 2024, at 1:16 am (Paris), updated on May 25, 2024, at 9:43 am Benjamin Hautecouverture

Op-Ed

'It is up to the French government to ensure that TotalEnergies does not present Europe with geopolitical vulnerabilities'

Mai Rosner, Campaigner for Global Witness, denounces the repetition of errors committed by TotalEnergies, which continues to finance the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan.

Published on May 24, 2024, at 2:24 pm (Paris) Mai Rosner

Op-Ed

'Restricting TikTok in New Caledonia cannot be deemed necessary or proportionate'

Stefania Di Stefano, a specialist in international law, warns of the weak legal basis for blocking the mobile app in the archipelago. This measure is 'unprecedented in France.'

Published on May 21, 2024, at 4:27 pm (Paris) Stefania Di Stefano

Op-Ed

'Qualifying the acts committed in Gaza, particularly whether they constitute genocide, is a complex task that will occupy international lawyers for years to come'

International lawyer Johann Soufi argues that the energy expended by some in denouncing the use of the term 'genocide' to describe the conflict in Gaza is aimed at denying the seriousness of the crimes committed by Israel.

Published on May 21, 2024, at 11:48 am (Paris) Johann Soufi

Column

Jean Pisani-Ferry: 'The danger is a growing divergence between the US and Europe on the China issue'

While Washington is increasingly committed to distancing itself economically from its Chinese rival, the European Union is still hesitating over the right strategy.

Published on May 19, 2024, at 4:51 am (Paris), updated on May 19, 2024, at 8:53 am Jean Pisani-Ferry

Visual Story

#MeToo: 100 faces from the movement in France pose in historic photo

One hundred public figures who have spoken out about sexual and gender-based violence have come together to pose for a historic photograph in Le Monde and co-sign an open letter calling for 'an all-encompassing law' on sexual violence.

Published on May 14, 2024, at 5:50 am (Paris), updated on May 14, 2024, at 8:33 am Le Monde infographic

Column

'Europe suffers from its incomplete union between states that share the euro but not their budget or taxation'

Savers and investors will only stay in Europe if it offers the guarantee of a secure and powerful asset: its own budgetary capacity, observes the economist Jézabel Couppey-Soubeyran in a column.

Published on May 13, 2024, at 3:59 am (Paris) Jézabel Couppey-Soubeyran

Op-Ed

'Commentaries on Taylor Swift's influence are revealing of the polarization of American political life'

As the pop star continues a series of concerts in Paris, historian Manuel Bocquier explores her potential influence on the US presidential election.

Published on May 11, 2024, at 9:00 pm (Paris) Manuel Bocquier

Column

Thomas Piketty: 'If the West truly supports the two-state solution, it must sanction Israel'

In his column, the economist calls on the US and Europe to hit Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies in the wallet.

Published on May 11, 2024, at 5:01 am (Paris) Thomas Piketty

Op-Ed

'Sciences Po students are committed leftists but only a minority embrace radical positions'

Behind images of radicalized Sciences Po students, individuals are in fact still rather respectful of institutions and their legitimacy, writes sociologist Anne Muxel.

Published on May 10, 2024, at 2:38 pm (Paris) Anne Muxel

Op-Ed

'Welcoming Xi Jinping to France is a policy of complicity in the Uyghur genocide'

Sociologist Dilnur Reyhan, a French national of Uyghur origin, calls on President Emmanuel Macron not to remain silent on Beijing's genocidal policy when hosting Xi Jinping.

Published on May 7, 2024, at 1:23 am (Paris), updated on May 7, 2024, at 7:42 am Dilnur Reyhan

Op-Ed

Elie Barnavi, former Israeli diplomat: 'Recognize a Palestinian state, now'

The former diplomat argues that Israel's allies must act now and recognize a Palestinian state after the US voted against admitting the State of Palestine to the UN on April 18.

Published on May 6, 2024, at 10:13 am (Paris) Elie Barnavi

Op-Ed

'Xi Jinping has much more in common with Stalin than Mao'

With the Chinese leader making a state visit to France on May 6 and 7, China expert Jean-Philippe Béja explains how Xi strengthened his control of the state apparatus using bureaucracy, party institutions and increased surveillance of the population.

Published on May 3, 2024, at 7:00 pm (Paris) Jean-Philippe Béja

Op-Ed

Jewish student union leader: 'For peace in the Middle East, we students must do better than agitation'

On May 3, the Union of Jewish Students of France will be present at the Place de la Sorbonne in Paris, in an effort to renew dialogue on campus. In an op-ed, the union's president explains why he considers the discussion necessary, despite his criticism of pro-Palestinian activists.

Published on May 2, 2024, at 3:40 pm (Paris) Samuel Lejoyeux

Op-Ed

Restitution of African cultural heritage: 'The postponement of the promised law is a shock to us'

Contrary to Emmanuel Macron's commitments in 2017, only 27 items have been returned to African countries, lament three museum and restitution officials from Benin, Nigeria, and Senegal. They call for 'rethinking relational ethics.'

Published on May 1, 2024, at 5:30 am (Paris), updated on May 1, 2024, at 9:23 am Babatunde E. Adebiyi Fatima Fall Niang Alain Godonou

Op-Ed

'Mr. Macron, we urge you to take action by all means necessary to overturn the death sentence of rapper Toomaj Salehi imposed by the Islamic Republic of Iran'

A broad group of artists, writers, and human rights activists, including actress Golshifteh Farahani and cartoonist Marjane Satrapi, calls on French President Emmanuel Macron to act swiftly to save the artist sentenced to death in Iran for his support of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

Published on May 1, 2024, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on May 1, 2024, at 8:43 am Group letter

Op-Ed

Macron's Sorbonne speech: 'On the defense of Europe, progress has been minimal since 2017'

While the French president's speech at the university testifies to his awareness of the scale of the Russian threat, much remains to be done to bring about a genuine change of strategic direction, wrties the former French ambassador Michel Duclos.

Published on April 29, 2024, at 5:00 pm (Paris) Michel Duclos

Column

Climate change: 'No scientific models included any hypotheses of degrowth until very recently'

For the first time, economists have calculated the precise (positive) effects of a reduction in economic growth on climate change, historian Jean-Baptiste Fressoz writes.

Published on April 26, 2024, at 11:09 am (Paris) Jean-Baptiste Fressoz

Op-Ed

Debate on youth violence: 'Repression is a popular idea, but it's a failure'

Not only is the portrayal of violent and uncontrollable youth a longstanding political myth, but the many repressive policies adopted over the past two centuries have further destabilized vulnerable young people and their families.

Published on April 25, 2024, at 10:42 pm (Paris), updated on April 26, 2024, at 7:37 am Véronique Blanchard David Niget

Op-Ed

Antonio Scurati: 'In Italy, the post-fascist group in power has chosen to rewrite history'

The Italian writer confided to Le Monde the speech intended to read on RAI 3 for Italy's liberation commemoration on April 25, in which he denounces Giorgia Meloni's far-right party for distorting history. However, the public broadcaster canceled his speech.

Published on April 23, 2024, at 12:48 am (Paris), updated on April 23, 2024, at 7:34 am Antonio Scurati

Op-Ed

'Extreme right violence in France is on the rise'

The deputy director of the Centre for Research on Extremism at the University of Oslo Anders Ravik Jupskas explains that France is one of the few countries in Western Europe where far-right terrorism and violence are on the rise.

Published on April 22, 2024, at 12:45 pm (Paris) Anders Ravik Jupskas

Op-Ed

'Russia could push Turkey into lasting political and military antagonism with the rest of NATO'

Ankara continues to position itself halfway between Russia and NATO. However, adjustments could pacify and strengthen essential ties with the Western world, argues Marc Pierini, former European Union ambassador to Turkey.

Published on April 22, 2024, at 11:00 am (Paris) Marc Pierini

Op-Ed

Argentina: 'President Milei's political project is based on a selective, fantasized account of the past'

Historians Ernesto Bohoslavsky, Marianne Gonzalez Aleman and Nadia Tahir analyze the relationship between the Argentine leader and his country's history, aiming to provide deeper insights into his governmental decisions.

Published on April 22, 2024, at 12:14 am (Paris), updated on April 22, 2024, at 8:30 am Ernesto Bohoslavsky Marianne Gonzalez Aleman Nadia Tahir

Op-Ed

'Some US states have gone much further than France in constitutionally protecting reproductive freedom'

Legal experts Daniel Borrillo and Thomas Perroud explain how, in many US states, abortion rights legislation is more protective of women's and men's freedoms than it is in France.

Published on April 20, 2024, at 4:00 pm (Paris), updated on April 20, 2024, at 5:40 pm Daniel Borrillo Thomas Perroud

Op-Ed

'India's elections this year stand out for their undemocratic nature'

As the general elections begin on April 19, India expert Christophe Jaffrelot writes that incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi is turning democracy into electoral authoritarianism.

Published on April 20, 2024, at 12:25 am (Paris), updated on April 20, 2024, at 10:50 am Christophe Jaffrelot

Op-Ed

Abdennour Bidar: 'How can one decently choose between the Israeli army that kills the people of Gaza and the terrorism of Hamas?'

In a world where identities are affirmed by the rejection or destruction of other identities, the philosopher argues that he prefers to rally behind those who, on both sides of the Middle East conflict, are the victims of monstrosity.

Published on April 19, 2024, at 10:55 am (Paris) Abdennour Bidar

Op-Ed

Esther Duflo: 'We must compensate the world's poorest citizens and help them adapt to climate change'

Esther Duflo, winner of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics, proposes the creation of two global taxes that would give poor countries a chance to adapt to climate change.

Published on April 18, 2024, at 12:00 am (Paris) Esther Duflo

Op-Ed

'Maryse Condé must be commemorated in the Panthéon as was done for Aimé Césaire'

The Guadeloupean writer was 'both immersed in and above the fray,' write several prominent figures led by Louis-Georges Tin, a former president of the Representative Council of Black Associations.

Published on April 15, 2024, at 2:20 pm (Paris), updated on April 15, 2024, at 2:50 pm Group letter

Column

Thomas Piketty: 'Ukraine's entry into the EU must be an opportunity to define strict standards guaranteeing pluralism in all its forms'

In his column, the economist argues that discussions surrounding Ukraine's EU integration should lead the bloc to review its standards so it can finally become the 'near-perfect' democratic club that it claims to be.

Published on April 13, 2024, at 5:45 am (Paris) Thomas Piketty

Op-Ed

'We're less and less together, but more and more side by side, eyes glued to our screens'

As faces are blocked by screens and personalities hidden behind avatars, French sociology professor David Le Breton laments on the disappearance of the public sphere.

Published on April 10, 2024, at 2:00 pm (Paris), updated on April 10, 2024, at 2:00 pm Dominique Prévert

Column

'America needs more migrants'

Rejection of immigration is likely to lead to serious economic difficulties, observes American economist Anne Krueger in her column.

Published on April 10, 2024, at 9:01 am (Paris) Anne Krueger

Op-Ed

Cannabis: 'The time has come to debate how best to regulate the market within a legal framework'

The legalization of cannabis in Germany is unlikely to eradicate the black market for it, as it will not allow for production in sufficient quantities to meet demand, writes health economist Pierre-Yves Geoffard.

Published on April 9, 2024, at 4:00 pm (Paris) Pierre-Yves Geoffard

Op-Ed

'The Seine isn't an Olympic swimming pool, it's a river with rights'

Legal expert Marine Calmet reminds us of the importance of the river that flows through the French capital, and calls for the recognition and protection of its fundamental rights.

Published on April 9, 2024, at 4:30 am (Paris) Marine Calmet

Op-Ed

Macron, Sissi and King Abdullah II call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

In an op-ed, the French and Egyptian presidents, Emmanuel Macron and Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and the king of Jordan, Abdullah II, demand that UN resolutions be respected.

Published on April 8, 2024, at 10:01 pm (Paris) Abdullah II Abdel Fattah el-Sissi Emmanuel Macron

Op-Ed

End of life: 'In Belgium, the doctor who performs the act accepts medicine's powerlessness to provide relief'

Corinne Vaysse-van Oost, a retired doctor who has performed euthanasia and a self-professed Catholic, highlights the strengths of the Belgian model and points out the limitations of the French bill presented by Emmanuel Macron.

Published on April 8, 2024, at 4:20 pm (Paris) Corinne Vaysse-van Oost

Column

'Football fans are no more steeped in racism and homophobia than the rest of the population'

Like the new campaigns launched by the French Professional Football League, the fight against discrimination in football wavers between voluntarism and ambiguity, says journalist Jérôme Latta in a column.

Published on April 6, 2024, at 2:53 am (Paris) Jérôme Latta

Op-Ed

'Armenia is pivoting to the West. It's time for Europe to step up'

In an op-ed for 'Le Monde,' former NATO Secretary-General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, calls on Brussels to move beyond its policy of equidistance between Armenia, which has chosen to turn towards the West, and Azerbaijan, which is asserting itself within the camp of aggressive autocracies under Russian influence.

Published on April 3, 2024, at 11:28 pm (Paris), updated on April 4, 2024, at 8:29 pm Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Op-Ed

European Commissioners Paolo Gentiloni and Nicolas Schmit: 'Too many EU workers still lack a decent wage, job security or equal opportunities'

In an op-ed, European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni and Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit urge the EU to launch new joint financing instruments to tackle economic and social challenges.

Published on April 2, 2024, at 5:09 pm (Paris) Paolo Gentiloni Nicolas Schmit

Op-Ed

'Europe must build a war economy without delay'

Former French junior minister for Europe Laurence Boone and former Moldovan foreign minister Nicu Popescu argue that the EU must act quickly to adapt its economy and regulatory framework to the new geopolitical reality.

Published on April 1, 2024, at 5:15 am (Paris), updated on April 1, 2024, at 7:32 am Nicu Popescu

Op-Ed

Ireland: 'The double no vote should be interpreted as a protest vote against the government'

On March 8, Irish voters rejected two constitutional amendments on the family and carers. University College Dublin law professor Marie-Luce Paris cites government overconfidence as the cause.

Published on March 30, 2024, at 4:33 am (Paris), updated on March 30, 2024, at 10:06 am Marie-Luce Paris

Op-Ed

Stephen Bates: 'The British monarchy seemed steady. Now people here are not quite so sure'

After King Charles III, Princess Catherine announced on March 22 that she was suffering from cancer. In a United Kingdom plagued by doubt after Brexit and Covid-19, the Crown was the guarantor of a form of continuity.

Published on March 29, 2024, at 8:01 am (Paris) Stephen Bates

Op-Ed

Climate: 'The most effective way of reaching the Paris Agreement would be variable price business models'

Finance expert Laurent Babikian proposes rewarding companies who make efforts to decarbonize and penalizing those who don't.

Published on March 28, 2024, at 7:18 pm (Paris) Laurent Babikian

Op-Ed

Moscow attack: 'The Russian population seems doomed to endure the Kremlin's hunt for imaginary threats'

By suggesting that Ukraine was involved in the Crocus City Hall massacre despite the Islamic State organization claiming responsibility for it, Vladimir Putin is perpetuating the logic of a political-military elite that blames the West for all evils, explains Dimitri Minic, a specialist in Russian strategic thinking.

Published on March 28, 2024, at 10:29 am (Paris) Dimitri Minic

Op-Ed

Ilya Yashin: 'By killing Navalny, Putin has made immortal his dream of a Russia free and open to the world'

With his usual cynicism, the Russian president got rid of his enemy, but without succeeding in destroying his dream of a fundamentally different policy, writes the opponent sentenced in 2022 to 8.5 years in prison for criticizing the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

Published on March 27, 2024, at 10:05 am (Paris) Ilya Yashin

Op-Ed

Archeologist Stéphen Rostain: 'The Amazon isn't just Brazil'

Emmanuel Macron's visit to Brazil and French Guiana should be an opportunity to address the issue of the Amazon as part of the world's heritage and the claims of Indigenous peoples, the archaeologist writes.

Published on March 26, 2024, at 8:36 pm (Paris) Stéphen Rostain

Op-Ed

Journalists, unions, and media outlets ask France's culture minister: 'Guarantee newsrooms' independence'

After the crisis at the daily newspaper 'La Provence,' around 70 media outlets, journalists' associations, unions and collectives call on the culture minister to back the cross-party bill to protect editorial freedom for media.

Published on March 26, 2024, at 5:53 pm (Paris) Group letter

Op-Ed

'The Paris 2024 Games must not become the propagandist arena for Putin's gladiators'

In a group letter to Le Monde, some 30 artists, activists and philosophers are calling on the French government to refuse to host Russian athletes at the next Olympic and Paralympic Games, even as 'neutral individual athletes.'

Published on March 24, 2024, at 3:08 pm (Paris) Group letter

Op-Ed

Boeing: 'It may seem astonishing that US legislation requires manufacturers to self-regulate'

Risk management professor Charles Cuvelliez analyzes a report by the US aviation regulator published at the end of February. The document points to flaws in the aircraft manufacturer's safety culture.

Published on March 22, 2024, at 7:00 pm (Paris) Charles Cuvelliez

Op-Ed

'We are not resigned to the slow unraveling of Europe's environmental ambitions'

Faced with the threat of a far-right and conservative victory in the European elections, a group of European experts propose 'a better Green Deal.'.

Published on March 20, 2024, at 3:25 pm (Paris) Group letter

Op-Ed

France's chief of Army Staff: 'The French army is ready'

Pierre Schill writes that at a time when crises are proliferating, France, as a NATO framework nation, has major assets. In addition to its nuclear deterrent, it has forces that are trained and interoperable with allied armies.

Published on March 19, 2024, at 2:51 pm (Paris), updated on March 20, 2024, at 1:00 pm Pierre Schill