'Not to do less but to do better. . .': French military policy in Africa

France's Africa policy has undergone significant change in recent years, particularly in its military aspects. In practical terms troop numbers have fallen; bases have closed; and financial and military resources have been reallocated or redirected. Politically, the will for forceful, unilateral French action in Africa seems largely to have dissipated. However, this does not mean that France seeks to disengage from the African continent. Rather, multilateral initiatives for maintaining influence are sought, including the possibility of diplomatic and potentially military action alongside the United Kingdom. However, it remains to be seen whether these policy reorientations will suffice to fulfil Prime Minister Lionel Jospin's dictum: 'not to do less but to do better'.     

端纳致田伯烈函

1938年10月24日端纳(W.H.Donald)随蒋介石离开汉口,视察鄂、湘、赣、桂前方阵地,12月前往重庆。同年12月28日和次年1月1日,端纳分两次给田伯烈(H.J.Timperley)写了这封长信,详细介绍他随蒋介石视察的所见所闻。