lediplomate.media – printed on 06/13/2026
By Jean Daspry, pseudonym of a senior civil servant, Doctor in political science
« Tout ce qui existe dans l’univers est le fruit du hasard et de la nécessité »Â(Democritus). Sunday June 14, 2026, Donald Trump, known around the world for his excesses, will celebrate his eightieth birthday with the joy and joy of his diplomatic successes, particularly in Iran and Ukraine. The same day, Jean-David Levitte, retired dignitary ambassador of France, unknown to the general public, will also celebrate his eightieth birthday. The forty-seventh President of the United States flourished in ostentation. The great servant of the French State, today a member of the Institute, flourishes in discretion. The New York billionaire has no foreign policy and ignores the canons of diplomacy. The French diplomat contributes to the definition of a Gaullist-inspired foreign policy and its implementation through a diplomacy of efficiency. The least we are authorized to say is that Jean-David Levitte has led an excellent career of Excellence. A brilliant career marked by assumed discretion. Today, he is pursuing a new career under the umbrella of the Institute.
An excellent career of excellence
Who is Jean-David Levitte?Born June 14, 1946 in Moissac, he is the son of Georges Lévitte, a Russian Jewish immigrant, professor of Hebrew and religion who, during the Second World War, smuggled Jewish children into the free zone. His paternal grandparents were deported and died in Auschwitz. Her mother, Doreen Duggan, is of British and Afrikaner origin. Married since March 20, 1970 to Marie-Cécile Jonas, Jean-David Levitte is the father of two daughters, Mathilde and Camille.
What is his secondary and university education?After secondary studies at the Lycée Pasteur in Neuilly-sur-Seine, he followed three courses in parallel. Holder of a law degree, Jean-David Levitte is a graduate of the Institute of Political Studies (IEP) in Paris and the National School of Oriental Languages (INALCO) in Chinese, Malay and Indonesian.
What is his diplomatic career like?1970: In 1970, he joined the Quai d’Orsay with the help of foreign affairs secretaries (Cadre d’Orient). In 1971, he held the post of Vice-Consul in Hong Kong. From 1972 to 1974, he was third secretary in Beijing. From 1974 to 1975, he was an editor at the Economic Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1975 to 1981, he was responsible for the mission at the general secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic[1]. From 1981 to 1984, he was advisor to the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in New York. From 1984 to 1986, he was deputy director for West Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1986 to 1988, he was deputy director of the cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Bernard Raimond. From 1988 to 1990, he was Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in Geneva. From 1990 to 1993, he was director of Asia and Oceania at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1993 to 1995, he was general director of cultural, scientific and technical relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and president of the Agency for French Education Abroad. From 1995 to 2000, he was diplomatic advisor and sherpa to the President of the Republic, Jacques Chirac. In 2002, he was briefly Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in New York. From 2002 to 2007, he was Ambassador to Washington. From 2007 to 2012, he was diplomatic advisor and sherpa to the President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy. He was elevated to the dignity of Ambassador of France, marshal of diplomats, on December 13, 2006.
What are its decorations? Jean-David Levitte is Commander of the Legion of Honor, Knight of the National Order of Merit and Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters.
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A brilliant carrière à la discrétion assuméÂ
Jean-David Levitte préfère l’élégance à la négligence. It looks like it came straight out of a fashion plate. There is no lack of poise or restraint. Always affable and outgoing, he smiles to everyone he speaks to. We know of few or no enemies. It is an understatement to say that he practices the art of dialogue and consensus to perfection. Perhaps he broods over his possible grudges in silence? But the senior civil servant is determined, knowing how to chart his path, as his extraordinary career development amply demonstrates. One of the most beautiful quarries on the Quai d’Orsay, if ever there was one. For four decades, he carried the voice of France internationally, its values and its principles. French culture is part of its DNA.
Jean-David Levitte préfère l’ombre à la lumière. He prefers the mysteries of power to the gold of power. He prefers humility to hubris. He is perfectly comfortable in his role as gray eminence of the highest person in the state[2]. He gives in neither to the tropism of writing his memoirs nor to that of a hot commentator on international news on the sets of continuous news channels. He leaves this privilege to some of his ex-colleagues who shine in this type of exercise. We naturally think of Gérard Araud. Reality TV diplomacy, very little for him. However, Jean-David Levitte would have reason to put his past exploits on paper, he who advised three Presidents of the Fifth Republic. A record never equaled to this day. He knows perfectly well that “the one who imposes the words guides the decisions »[3]. The man rarely reveals himself. He has his modesty. In 2026, he contributed to the work dedicated to Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (whom he served as part of his diplomatic cell)[4] in the form of two brief and interesting articles respectively entitled: “A Gaullist vision of French influence in the world» and «France facing the decline of the Shah of Iran and the emergence of Imam Khomenei“. We discover or rediscover (for some who are lucky enough to cross his path) the clarity of geopolitical thought and the fluidity of the diplomatic style of this diplomat. They should serve as a model for many of our current leaders who are adept at all-out communication as well as for novice diplomats who are experts in texting, emails and other joys of the e-world.
Jean-David Levitte cultivates the art of silence. Few people know exactly what Jean-David Levitte really thinks about this or that of his classmates, on this or that international issue. He masterfully cultivates the art of discretion, even secrecy. Like General de Gaulle, he knows that“The sobriety of the speech accentuates the relief of the attitude. Nothing enhances authority better than silence, the splendor of the strong and the refuge of the weak, the prudence of the proud and the pride of the humble, the prudence of the wise and the spirit of fools.”[5]. « Ce gentleman de l’Élysée“is the archetype of the old school diplomat. In diplomatic jargon, it is nicknamed “Diplomator“, because of his qualities in this matter. It is an understatement to say that his talents are unanimously recognized by professionals at the Maison des bords de Seine and well beyond.
A new career under the umbrella of the Institute
Jean-David Levitte cannot remain inactive once the time comes to retire. Indeed, he was elected member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences on December 17, 2007 in the chair of Raymond Triboulet (1906-2006). The least we can say is that he excels in this new prestigious venue, in everyone’s opinion. Since the beginning of 2026, he has ensured a very notable rotating annual presidency within a Holy Trinity which represents the Bureau (in addition to the person concerned, there are Bernard Stirn, permanent secretary, ex-president of the litigation section of the Council of State and the vice-president, Haïm Korsia, Grand Rabin of France). First, his analysis of the state of the world presented at the start of his presidency, on January 6, 2026, is worth the detour as it is brilliant and concise.[6]. It is entitled: «ÂAfter five centuries of Western domination, what future for the world? »[7]On this occasion, he presents the program of sessions for the year 2026 around a fundamental question: how to rebuild an international order when the very foundations of the architecture inherited from the 20th century are faltering? His introductory remarks establish a diagnosis of contemporary geopolitical upheavals, an essential prerequisite for any prospective reflection on the civilizational challenges to come. From the level of Ramses 2026 in scale model![8] Then, all the speakers he brings in (ambassadors, generals, experts…) under his august presidency are of very high standard. Nothing to do with our diplomats and soldiers on television. His colleagues are infinitely grateful to him. Furthermore, its rare podcasts from the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences are not lacking in interest[9].
To be complete, his multiple consulting activities have earned him some harsh criticism from the right-thinking German media in search of scoops and buzz. There is no need to dwell on it. Let’s leave it to others to judge the merits or otherwise of these accusations! In his most recent biography, the only figure, under the title of his additional activities, is the mention: “Président de la Fondation Geneva Council for Security Policy (GCSP) ».
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Un Talleyrand de l’ombre ?Â
“Be true, but discreet; be open, but wise.”How better to summarize, in these few simple words, the complex personality of the Chinese sage, Jean-David Levitte than does Voltaire? A classical diplomat, he is also a diplomat of modernity, of a certain modernity off the beaten track. The one who prefers to advise and act effectively in the shadows rather than favoring the effect of display and empty words in the harsh light of the omnipotent and omniscient media. If he knows how to practice a sense of compromise, even a sense of dodging and, on occasion, flexibility of spine, he knows how to practice diplomacy with courage and determination.[10]. Two qualities so uncommon these days in the corridors of power where we think that a good word makes a truth. A useful reminder of the basic realities of international society in a world in total upheaval. Our dignitary French Ambassador has pragmatic convictions, one could say. Through these few lines, we modestly hope to have contributed to answering the enigma: Who are you Jean-David Levitte?
Happy birthday Mr Ambassador!
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The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone.
[1] In one of the most recent biographies, it is stated: “Called by VGE to join the Élysée from 1975 to 1981».
[2] Charles Zorgbibe, The gray eminences – in the shadow of the princes who govern usÉditions de Fallois, 2020.
[3]Dominique de Villepin,The power to say no,Flammarion, 2025.
[4]Â Louis Giscard d’Estaing (under the direction of),ÂVGE the visionary. 1926-2020,ÂÉditions Eyrolles, 2026.
[5] Charles de Gaulle, (présentation d’Hervé Gaymard), Le fil de l’épée », Tempus, 2024.
[6]The verbatim version of Jean-David’s presentation appears in full on the website of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences.
[7]Â https://academiesciencesmoralesetpolitiques.fr/2026/01/05/communication-de-jean-david-levitte-apres- cinq-siecles-de-domination-occidentale-quel-avenir-pour-le-monde/
[8]Â Thierry de Montbrial/Dominique David (under the direction of),ÂThe new chessboard. Who rules the world? Europe: its strategic margins. Africa, the giant prevented,Dunod, 2026.
[9]Â https://podcasts.institutdefrance.fr/academiciens/jean-david-levitte
[10] Alain Juppé, A French story. MemoirsTallandier, 2023, p. 163.
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