French military base in Abu Dhabi

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/jun2009/base-j15.shtml

The inauguration of a French military base in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on May 26, demonstrates that French capitalism is eager to achieve its interests in the Persian Gulf and has ambitions to be a global player.

Called Peace Camp, France’s first permanent military base in the UAE, which is historically closer to Great Britain and the US, is only 150 miles from the coast of Iran. It is also close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which 40 percent of the world’s oil supply passes. It represents a toehold for French imperialism in a region militarily dominated particularly by the US........

...............The Peace Camp base, France’s first overseas base in 50 years following the end of the colonial era, represents a significant shift in French foreign policy. France has to now had its military bases concentrated in its former colonies in Africa. Of over 12,000 French troops deployed around the world, over half are deployed in Africa, with the largest contingent (2,800 troops) in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. France has 3,000 deployed troops in Afghanistan.