France has proven itself “haute de la classe” in Moscow, a result which will
provide population elation, a magical summer and also serve to
illustrate that much of its sporting success starts metaphorically
“beyond the peripehrique” and so lessen the tensions of different
social stratas.
The joy of Benjamin
Mendy when holding the trophy was obvious; who together with
President Macron, sent the signal that although the graduates of
elite universities like 'Science et Lettres' (et) 'Ecole
Polytechnique' still effectively run socio-political France, it was
'foreign' (African) names like Pogba, Mbappe, Kante and Matuidi that
also carried the tricolor.
Yet it could be deemed
that it is Croatia that should celebrate even more so given its small
size yet enormous will-power. Independent since 1991, having
re-identified and rebuilt itself after terrible ethnic war, to
re-assert itself as far more than a remnant of previously enormous
empire and an agglomerated Soviet border. To have trained and fielded
such devoted players to reach the World Cup Final with such
comparatively small human and financial resources, and to surpass the
Group and Round barriers, illustrates that the archetype of the
'giant slayer' is not forgotten yesteryear legend. Though defeated on
the day, from Dubrovnik to Vukovar, the country deserves
self-congratulation and renewed internationalist confidence.
As for the host nation
of Russia, though vilified by Britain and now Greece for apparent
nerve agent deployment and apparent local bribery to disrupt the
Greek-Macedonian negotiations; to much of the rest of the world, and
especially its BRIC counterparts and second-tier EM nations, Russia
has shown itself as very much 'open' in both a more globally attuned
mentality and thereafter a willingness to seek its own fortunes
beyond its boundaries.
Interestingly, though
the US President says 'American First' and the tariff regimes suggest
protectionism and increased isolationism, in this dualistic age
within which every beneficial stance is taken as the result of
economic re-strengthening and subsequent 'real politik', Trump also
offers a second conciliatory face to those seen as important – eg
North Korea for expanded Asian capitalism and
Russia (as opposed to Iran and perhaps China) as the preferred powerhouse behind
Central Asian development.
The meeting of Putin
and Trump will offer little more than platitudes and mutual respect.
The antics of the Pussy Riot demonstration – now illustrating a
disrespect for the home state aswell as previously the church –
will inevitably draw these two closer as mutually appreciative
representatives of the old centre-right, which given the previous
enormous leftist pull over decades, today sees them by millions
occupying something closer to the old lost middle-ground.
The men themselves
could not be more different in background and personality: Putin's
near asceticism and calmness providing for rounded and
deep consideration ; compared to: Trump's previous excess in all things, from deliberately blusterous vocal persona, to his symbolic status buildings to the manipulation of the press via tactical deployment of post-truth to fight fire with fire, and to provide optimal every-angle outcomes. Yet Trump has latterly mellowed and become a more sensitive communicator so as to better convince of oft valid points.
As America looks to
buoy itself at the suspected cost of both its old allies (Europe) and
newer trade counterpart (China) and the Environment, at such a
crucial juncture of the global economy, the majority of other world
leaders might begin to identify with a slightly more open Putin and
opening Russia, than the less 'easily readable' Trump.
As Trump and his
advisors seem to want to seek to re-draw the world map of
international relations in search of possible national fracture and
later-date capitalist opportunities, and possible disruption of China's trans-continental 'Belt Road', the historical lessons of
France's 'Entente Cordiale' (with antagonistic play-book) and the
Yugoslavian 'Failed State' (prompted from within) might well be seen
again across Central Asia and the North Korean-Chinese border.
Let us hope that the
advisory teams of both 'strong men' seek proper cooperation and
positive global influence, rather than any re-drawing of the global
influence map to benefit of each.
To do so would be to
reverse the enormous advancement of the last 73 years. In vehicular
terms, that distant yesteryear was based upon the might of respective
Sherman and KV tanks racing to Berlin.
Today, metaphorically
Trump's GM 'Beast' and Putin's new Aurus 'Senat', could roll
side-by-side together in a processional and progressive demonstration
of global statesmenship that encourages other world leaders and
peoples to continue to re-build a globally safe and prosperous
future.
Such an outcome –
that goes back to the philosophical origins of Adam Smith's
monumental work that begat globalism - would be the best trade deal
by far. To negate head to head competition in a myriad of arenas and
comprise of a system that sought the best home advantage for
international exportation, and thereafter create mutual alliances for
international synergies.
An Ameri-Russian
co-creation of a future generation of 'Beast' and 'Senat' would be
the sign of re-cast globalisation.
