Conclusion

Throughout the 1960s–1980s, French diplomacy – anchored in Gaullist doctrine – leveraged regional crises to project influence, balancing NATO engagement, bilateral dialogue with the USSR and support for non-aligned states. This approach positioned France as the “other West,” simultaneously Western yet distinct, particularly during crises such as the Six-Day War, Prague Spring and Lebanese conflict. Historiographically, the Mediterranean reveals the interplay of transatlantic, Euro-Mediterranean and Franco-Arab frameworks, underscoring France’s role as a naval, nuclear and diplomatic power. The study calls for further research into bilateral ties, expert networks and transnational dynamics, highlighting continuities with today’s crises: Russia’s resurgence, regional instability and the Mediterranean’s enduring function as a geopolitical crossroads shaping France’s global role.