OnPolitics: How Laurent Bili, France’s ambassador to the US, will approach diplomacy

Hi, OnPolitics readers.

While the debt ceiling is still the talk of the town, and you can scroll down this newsletter for more, we’re starting with this exclusive feature on a relatively new figure in Washington: Laurent Bili, France’s ambassador to the United States.

Before coming to the nation’s capital, Bili was posted in China – four months before the country went into lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The career diplomat has since traded isolation and PPE for cocktail parties and passed hors d'oeuvres. Yet he's still a little overwhelmed by the carousing that takes place in Washington, Paste BN reporter Francesca Chambers writes.

Bili’s arrival comes at a crucial time as the U.S. and France work to mend their frayed relationship.

So how does the self-described introvert approach life as a diplomat in Washington, as much is at stake for both countries?

Keep reading to find out: France's new ambassador to the U.S. puts his flair on party diplomacy

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