Timeline Express Announcements

  On 29 September 2015, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris welcomed Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek Minister of Finance, for a discussion moderated by Renaud Girard. Varoufakis, who had earlier that year resigned from his ministerial post after leading Greece’s high-profile negotiations with its European creditors, brought to the debate his first-hand experience of the eurozone crisis and his critique of austerity policies. In his remarks, Varoufakis explored the future of Europe in light of the financial turmoil, democratic deficits, and the strains placed on EU institutions. He reflected on his confrontations with the Eurogroup, arguing that Europe faced a choice between deeper integration on fairer terms or continued fragmentation. He also touched on global political economy, pointing to the interconnection between financial instability, governance, and the rise of populist movements. The event provided participants—experts, and policymakers—with an opportunity to hear from one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of the post-crisis settlement. Varoufakis’s intervention underscored CPFA’s commitment to widening debate beyond traditional diplomacy, by engaging with figures whose experience at the heart of economic decision-making sheds light on broader questions of democracy, sovereignty, and the future of Europe.

  On 18 November 2015, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris hosted an event with Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), moderated by Renaud Girard. Drawing on his long career in intelligence, including his leadership of MI6 between 1999 and 2004, Dearlove reflected on the challenges of modern security, the limits of intelligence, and the ways in which intelligence assessments influence foreign policy. His intervention provided a framework for understanding contemporary risks across the Middle East and their global repercussions. The event gathered a diverse range of Syrian participants, ensuring that perspectives from the country most directly affected were well represented. Among them was Rami Abderrahmane, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Their contributions highlighted the human and political costs of the conflict, while also offering insights into the realities on the ground in Syria. Also present was the French philosopher Raphaël Enthoven, reflecting CPFA’s commitment to bridging political, strategic, and intellectual perspectives. The dialogue addressed the Syrian conflict, broader Middle Eastern dynamics, Israel’s role in the region, and the complex interplay between intelligence, politics, and morality in times of crisis. By bringing together figures from intelligence, the Syrian opposition, and philosophy, the event provided a unique platform for multidisciplinary debate on one of the world’s most urgent conflicts.  

  The first stage of the event was a public conference by personal invitation, attended by experts, journalists, and senior political figures. Organised by the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA), the session addressed the urgent risks of nuclear proliferation and the need to contain the nuclear arms race. The discussion was chaired by Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and moderated by Renaud Girard, columnist and foreign correspondent for Le Figaro. The panel included Bronisław Komorowski, former President of Poland; Jack Straw, former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom; Yaşar Yakış, former Foreign Minister of Turkey; and Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, former Foreign Minister of Italy. Together, the five speakers examined the geopolitical dangers of nuclear escalation, the weaknesses of existing non-proliferation mechanisms, and the urgent need for international cooperation in addressing these challenges.

  The Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris welcomed Abdullah Gül, 11th President of Turkey, for a discussion on Syria, the Middle East, and wider regional dynamics. The event, moderated by Renaud Girard, senior reporter at Le Figaro, formed part of CPFA’s series of high-level dialogues with former heads of state and policymakers to examine pressing international challenges. In his remarks, President Gül reflected on the complexity of the Syrian conflict and its destabilising effects across the region. He addressed the interplay between regional rivalries, the humanitarian consequences of the war, and the urgent need for international cooperation to contain further escalation. He also spoke about Turkey’s perspective on developments in the Middle East, highlighting the interconnection between security, political reform, and economic stability. The meeting offered participants the chance to engage directly with a statesman who had played a central role in Turkey’s regional diplomacy. His contribution provided valuable context for understanding the challenges facing both Syria and the broader Middle East at a time of profound uncertainty.

  The Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris hosted a meeting with Donald Trump Jr., son of the then U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump. The discussion formed part of CPFA’s ongoing programme of exchanges with political figures whose roles and connections positioned them at the intersection of American politics and international affairs. Following the meeting, Randa Kassis, President of the Astana Platform, commented on the importance of maintaining dialogue with representatives of different political currents in the United States. She stressed that understanding potential shifts in American policy was essential for anticipating their impact on Syria and the wider Middle East. Her remarks underscored the need for continued engagement with diverse actors in order to broaden the scope of debate on possible paths to stability. In hosting this event, CPFA reaffirmed its mission of convening conversations with influential figures from across the political spectrum. The meeting reflected the Centre’s commitment to fostering international dialogue on issues at the heart of global security and foreign policy.

  On 25 October 2016, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris hosted a talk by James Rubin, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, on Syria, the Middle East, and U.S. foreign policy. The event, moderated by Renaud Girard, senior reporter at Le Figaro, highlighted perspectives on both American strategy and regional challenges. Rubin argued that a negotiated settlement to the Syrian conflict remained possible if the international community, particularly the United States and its allies, increased pressure on all sides to compromise. He stressed the importance of U.S. leadership in shaping outcomes in the Middle East, suggesting that Washington retained the capacity to influence both regional dynamics and the course of the Syrian war. He also maintained that closer cooperation with European and regional partners would be necessary to contain instability. The discussion reflected Rubin’s conviction that American engagement was indispensable, both for addressing the Syrian crisis and for managing wider challenges in the Middle East. His remarks illustrated the prevailing U.S. policy thinking of the period, which combined criticism of the Assad regime with calls for continued Western involvement but stopped short of advocating direct intervention.    

  On 11 February 2017, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris convened a meeting dedicated to examining prospects for a political settlement in Syria. The discussion, moderated by Renaud Girard, senior reporter at Le Figaro, brought together two prominent Syrian opposition leaders: Randa Kassis, co-chair of the secular Syrian delegation at the 2016 Geneva negotiations and founder and president of the Astana Platform, and Ahmad Jarba, former president of the Syrian National Coalition and founder of the Cairo Platform. The two participants shared their perspectives on how to overcome the protracted stalemate in Syria and advance towards an inclusive and sustainable peace process. Randa Kassis stressed the importance of pragmatic approaches that acknowledge the realities on the ground while addressing the aspirations of Syrians for stability and democratic governance. Ahmad Jarba emphasised the necessity of unifying the opposition and presenting a coherent political alternative capable of shaping the future of the country. In hosting this exchange, CPFA reaffirmed its mission to provide a forum for dialogue on critical international challenges. By convening influential regional actors, the Centre sought to promote deeper understanding of the Syrian conflict and to contribute to the search for solutions that prioritise inclusivity, pragmatism, and long-term stability.

  In September 2017, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) organised a roundtable discussion in Paris on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and broader dynamics in the Middle East. Among the invited speakers was Mohammed Dahlan, the dismissed Fatah leader, whose participation attracted significant attention in regional media. The event, moderated by Renaud Girard, senior reporter at Le Figaro, also featured Randa Kassis, President of the Astana Platform, who intervened to address the Syrian conflict. In her remarks, she emphasised the necessity of pursuing realistic avenues towards peace in Syria and reflected on how regional shifts could influence prospects for stability. Although public debate was stirred by the image of Dahlan and Kassis at the same table, the purpose of the gathering was consistent with CPFA’s mission: to foster dialogue on critical geopolitical issues by bringing together diverse perspectives from across the region. Dahlan spoke on the Palestinian question, while Kassis underlined Syria’s central role in shaping the future of the Middle East.