Macron’s southeast Asian smackdown. Everyone’s talking about the slap French President Emanuel Macron apparently got from wife Brigitte Macron aboard the presidential plane – but that’s not the big story. Instead, we’re watching what Macron does on his tour of Southeast Asia this week, starting with his pitch to the Vietnamese government that France and the EU are better partners than the US, reportedly warning Hanoi not to make concessions to Washington that would hurt Europe. He’ll also be in Indonesia and Singapore. A suivre!
Russia’s Ukraine barrage draws fire from Trump. Moscow unleashed 367 drones and missiles on Ukraine Sunday, killing twelve people. In response, President Donald Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin "CRAZY" and threatened further sanctions. Is he really willing to turn the screws on Russia? Meanwhile, Germany said Kyiv’s allies will now allow Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike deeper into Russia. Whether Putin views that as a deterrent or a provocation is now a crucial question.
Rule Britannia? The UK’s King Charles is in Canada where on Tuesday he’ll do something his late mother Queen Elizabeth did just twice during her seventy years on the throne: open Canada’s Parliament. His message? Sorry Donald Trump, Canada is not “for sale.” But the King has a diplomatic tightrope to walk: affirm Canadian sovereignty without unduly antagonizing Trump in ways that could ruffle the US-UK relationship.
