Credit must be given where credit is due on the far side of the Atlantic. France, noted in recent years for pacifism and capitulation to the various enemies of the West, has now elected a pro-America leader who promises to enact an unmistakably conservative program of reform. His goal is to bolster the French economy while shoring up its deteriorating national identity.

 

Admittedly, the term “conservative” holds a far different meaning among Europeans than it does in America. Nevertheless, Sarkozy’s campaign, clearly defined from that of his socialist opponent, Segolene Royal, embodies an ideology that lauds hard work and individual initiative.

 

Elsewhere on the international front, Sarkozy seeks to begin overhauling the currently disastrous immigration policy, which has led to a Muslim subculture of such enormity that it threatens the very essence of everything traditionally French. The massive scale of last year’s Muslim riots apparently served as a “wake up call” to the nation’s citizens who defied anti-nationalist rhetoric of the “politically correct” crowd to rally around Sarkozy.

 

Not surprisingly, the post election riots of the past few days, which in many ways mirrored those of last summer, were perpetrated not by militant Muslims, but by angry socialists who abhor Sarkozy’s agenda of boosting France’s economic status through a stronger work ethic.

 

Thus is the Islamist threat to France’s future mirrored by the internal threats emanating from militant leftist forces. The alarming commonality of tactics employed by the two groups is only eclipsed by the commonality of their “end games.”

 

Contrary to the rest of Europe, where appeasement and submission in the face of such a menace seems to be the norm, France is taking a decidedly rightward turn, much to the dismay of its leftists. Yet for those cognizant French who could grasp their present plight, little “wiggle room” remained. No alternative, other than complete eradication as a culture, was available.

 

In truth, future prospects for the entirety of the European Continent differ little from that of France. A drastic change of course is essential if it is to have any hopes of survival.

 

Yet many among its ruling “elites” either remain oblivious to this fact, or simply choose to deny it in the short-term for the sake of personal gain. But Europe, once the bastion of Western Civilization, is crumbling. And even the strident efforts of such far-sighted individuals as Nicolas Sarkozy may not be sufficient to save it.

 

In London, the most popular name for newborn boys is “Mohamed.” In Germany, “progressive” court judgments set precedent for Islamic law to be instituted within self-segregated Muslim communities. Concurrently, the scourge of abortion ensures that Europeans are not repopulating their own kind at even a fraction of the rate generated among immigrant populations, abetted by new immigrant arrivals.

 

It has at times been tempting for Americans, long disdained and often undermined on the international scene by their European “allies,” to simply sit by and watch the matriarchal continent implode upon itself. Yet America is no more immune to the long-term effects of such a scenario than any free people throughout the rest of the world.

 

The September 11 attacks proved to any reasoned observer that mere geographical obstacles are no longer sufficient to guarantee immunity from the malignant forces of Islamic terrorism. The same forces which relentlessly toil to bring down Europe are at work here in America as well as every corner of the globe.

 

The rest of the world had better wake up and take note. Momentary calm belies the impending peril. The maddening patience with which the Islamists plot their attacks serves not only to conceal their plans, it also allows the cynical and self-absorbed to grow lax and complacent. This year’s indifferent spectators will be next year’s targets.

 

Sadly, many who find themselves in such a grim scenario respond by attacking the “messenger.” As the United States pursues the forces that war against it and slaughter its citizens, many in the “world community” have found it easier to castigate the Americans as “imperialists” than to face down that enemy that was not directly confronting them.

 

France was among such nations. But as Paris and its suburbs burned at the hands of rioting Muslim youths, and with the adversary so thoroughly entrenched within their midst, an awakening of reason apparently occurred, which directed the people of that nation to take up their own cause, and take control of their own destiny.

 

Several hurdles still remain for the Sarkozy government. Elections in June will determine if the Parliamentary majority, and thus the French Prime Minister, will be of Sarkozy’s party or that of the socialist opposition. The fear-mongers will be out in force in the intervening weeks, hoping to convince the French people to retreat from their currently defiant stance.

 

Even in the event that Sarkozy establishes a Parliamentary majority, the naysayers and defeatists will no doubt be tireless in their attempts to demoralize him and thereby undermine his efforts to institute substantive change.

 

Yet France, Europe, and indeed all of Western Civilization remain teetering at a “point of no return.” Amazing as was Sarkozy’s victory this past week, it stands as only a first step back from the brink of societal collapse. A major shift from the nihilism of the left, and a renewed resolve to stand against the encroachment of militant Islam must take place if Europe is to prevail over the insidious cultural onslaughts that presently threaten it.