affair and other graft probes
SYRIA, IRAN
With Muammar Gaddafi dead and Libya in the hands of an interim government, Sarkozy's foreign policy has turned more aggressively towards Damascus and Tehran.
His assertiveness on Libya, where he led the West's foreign intervention, has set a precedent that makes it hard for him to take a back seat over Syria's crackdown on protesters.
A French-sponsored resolution that could have paved the way for sanctions by the U.N. Security Council against the Syrian government was vetoed by Russia and China in October.
Paris has turned its attention to building its relationship with the opposition -- calling the Syrian National Council the legitimate partner it wanted to work with -- the closest a major power has come to recognizing the group.
Led by Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, Paris' frustration has grown at the inability of the international community to put an end to the Syrian crackdown.
This has prompted Juppe to call for the establishment of "humanitarian corridors" to protect civilians preferably with Damascus' approval. If it refuses, Juppe has said an international mandate to intervene would be required.
Syria's main ally, Iran, has also come into the firing line with Sarkozy warning of "unprecedented sanctions" following November's IAEA report on Tehran's military nuclear plans.
Sarkozy urged world leaders to impose an oil embargo and cut all links with the central bank, something certain members of the European Union and the United States appear to still oppose.
What to watch:
-- An escalation in pressure on Syria with France possibly seizing the U.N. Security Council again if violence continues
-- Paris has said it would set "an example" on Iran sanctions. If its allies do not go as far as France has demanded, will Paris take the lead or back down?
For political risks to watch in other countries, please click on (Additional reporting by John Irish and Alexandria Sage; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
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