'It could deepen France's anti-IS operations in Gulf'

The Paris attacks would strengthen France’s involvement against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, while also strengthening arguments against allowing immigrants in Europe, global intelligence company Stratfor has said.

In a note released hours after the attacks described by President Francois Hollande as an act of war by the IS, Texas-based Strategic Forecasting Inc said: "They come five days before France's only aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is due to set sail for the Persian Gulf for actions against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.”

“France has been carrying out air strikes in Syria since late September. Should the attacks be traced back to the Islamic State's core area of operation, France will probably deepen its involvement in anti-Islamic State operations in Syria and Iraq at a time when the Syrian battlefield in particular is becoming crowded and complicated," the note said.

From a political perspective, the attacks are a reminder of France's longstanding ethnic frictions following several months in which the focus has been on neighbouring Germany.
High numbers of migrants have been entering Germany from the east and south, with very few carrying on to France.

"As a result, France has kept a relatively low profile in the attempts to stem the flow of migrants, though it has been present at the numerous summits on the issue and has supported Germany's push for a relocation of asylum seekers across Europe," the note said.

Nevertheless, the attacks could strengthen the argument of groups calling for a halt in the flow of immigrants.