Anne-Claire Legendre, new president of France's Arab World Institute: 'Our role is to provide tools for understanding'

Anne-Claire Legendre, the new president of the Arab World Institute, in one of its exhibition spaces in Paris, March 13, 2026. ADRIENNE SURPRENANT/MYOP FOR LE MONDE

French diplomat Anne-Claire Legendre, former adviser to Emmanuel Macron on North Africa and the Middle East, took over as president of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in mid-February, following the abrupt departure of Jack Lang due to his long-standing relationship and alleged financial ties with sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. The Arabist detailed her roadmap to Le Monde.

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Diplomat Anne-Claire Legendre succeeds Jack Lang at Arab World Institute

What place does the IMA intend to give to the Israeli-American war against Iran, which is now inflaming all the Gulf countries?