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| Europe | ||
| Riot in the 'European Garden': Spain has caused a rift in Western unity | ||
| 2026-03-15 | ||
| Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited by Andrey Bulkin [REGNUM] The recall of the Spanish ambassador from Israel has become one of the loudest diplomatic signals in Europe amid the escalating conflict in Iran.
Moreover, criticism from Spain concerns not only Israel’s actions, but also American policy in the region. THUNDER IN PARADISE Over the past decades, the unity of the Western coalition, of which Israel is traditionally considered a part, has become perceived as so unshakable that any serious disagreements between its members that spill into the public sphere are perceived as nothing less than a bolt from the blue. Or, to recall the famous quote of former head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell, "in the European garden." This is precisely the tone of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's statements, which he has repeatedly and harshly criticized in recent weeks for the military operation against Iran. At one press conference, he declared that what is happening is a grave mistake. “This war in Iran, in my view and in the view of the Spanish government, is a huge mistake for which we will pay,” Sanchez emphasized. In another statement, the prime minister noted that disagreement with Iran's political regime does not mean support for military action. He argued that one can oppose the government in Tehran and simultaneously consider military intervention unjustified and dangerous. The Spanish leader called for immediate de-escalation, respect for international law, and a swift return to diplomatic dialogue. Sánchez's position can be explained by the fact that he leads a left-wing coalition, which includes strong parties and movements traditionally critical of Israeli policies and US military operations in the Middle East. The Spanish left's opposition to Israeli actions and US military operations in the Middle East has historical and political roots. It is linked to the peculiarities of Spain's political history. During the civil war of 1936–1939, the country itself became a testing ground for the superpowers, who rehearsed the future great war on its soil. Spain paid for this with hundreds of thousands of lives and the establishment of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, which resulted in prolonged international isolation and devastation. Following the change of power in the 1970s, Spanish policy increasingly embraced international law and multilateral institutions as a guarantee of preventing new conflicts. This was seen as a way to ensure predictability in global politics and protect the interests of medium-sized countries that lacked the military or economic clout of superpowers. Therefore, anti-war sentiment is generally strong in Spanish society, especially after the mass protests against the country's participation in the US operation in Iraq in 2003, which involved millions of Spaniards. Relations between Madrid and the Tel Aviv-Washington coalition deteriorated gradually. Differences had been building for many years and primarily concerned Israel's policies in the Middle East and its stance on the Palestinian issue,
With tensions running high against the backdrop of a new war in Iran, the ambassador's recall has become a symbol of this deep diplomatic crisis. This time, Spain's disagreements also affected its relations with the United States. A notable episode was the Spanish government's decision to deny the American military access to joint bases in the country for operations against Iran. The bases in question are Rota and Moron, key locations for the American military presence in southern Spain. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albarez said they are not and will not be used for actions that go beyond the scope of bilateral agreements and are not in accordance with the UN Charter. This position, of course, provoked a sharp reaction in Washington. "I think they're not cooperating at all. Spain. I think they're behaving very badly, very badly, not well at all. We could stop trade with Spain," Trump said on March 11. However, this hasn't led to any real consequences yet. However, for the Sánchez government, perhaps more importantly, its anti-war stance allows it to retain the support of its own coalition and a significant portion of the electorate. SPAIN IS NOT ALONE While most EU countries supported the war with Iran, Madrid was not the only critic of Israel and the US actions in Europe. For example, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated that the Israeli strike on Iran cannot be considered a legitimate preventive action. “Preemptive strikes require an immediate and imminent threat,” he recalled. Finland took a reserved stance. President Alexander Stubb stated that Helsinki condemns both the US and Israeli strikes and Tehran's retaliatory actions, and calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint. Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia also previously announced a boycott of Eurovision. This occurred before the war with Iran began in late 2025, and was due to Israel's admission to the contest. In general, in many European countries, attitudes towards military action in the Middle East have become noticeably more cautious following military campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. Initially, these operations were seen as an attempt to stabilize the region and eliminate a perceived threat to Europe. However, over time, it became clear that their consequences were far more severe than expected. The wars in Iraq, Libya, and Syria led to prolonged instability, a rise in radical groups in the region, and a massive wave of refugees whose upkeep fell on Europe, while the campaign in Afghanistan lasted nearly two decades and ended with the flight of the international coalition forces and the return to power of the Taliban movement (the movement is under UN sanctions for terrorist activities). For Europeans, this was a lesson: attempts to resolve the Middle East's millennia-old problems by force do not lead to a quick political settlement, but only exacerbate instability. SMALL SIGNS OF BIG DIFFERENCES For European countries, stability in the Middle East is important both economically and politically. First, European economies remain heavily dependent on energy supplies from the region. Oil and gas from the Persian Gulf play a significant role in the energy balances of many EU countries. Any escalation of the conflict threatens to lead to supply disruptions or a sharp rise in energy prices, as has already happened this time. Secondly, European governments fear the political consequences of instability in the Middle East. Experience over the past decades shows that major conflicts in the region are often accompanied by increased migration flows to Europe. A similar situation has already been observed after the wars in Syria and Libya. Migration crises often exacerbate internal political tensions and can contribute to the growth of radical sentiments in European countries. Furthermore, instability in the Middle East inevitably leads to a growing terrorist threat, which directly impacts the security of Europeans. Finally, there is also a structural difference between US and European interests. For Washington, the Middle East remains a region of national importance, but the American economy is significantly less dependent on Middle Eastern oil than the European one. Furthermore, the United States is geographically much further removed from the potential consequences of regional instability, whether from the aforementioned terrorist attacks carried out by radicals or a direct military response from a Middle Eastern country. For European countries, the Middle East is a neighboring region, and any crises there inevitably impact life within Europe. This is why many of its governments prefer to maintain a more cautious approach than Washington. Despite harsh statements and diplomatic demarches, there is no deep rift within the Western camp yet. Spain remains a US ally and NATO partner, and economic and military ties between the countries remain strong, despite the harsh rhetoric of politicians. At the same time, the current situation clearly shows that contradictions are increasingly emerging within the Western world, including over policy in the Middle East. And although it is too early to talk about them developing into a large-scale internal conflict in the near future, what is happening indicates that behind the façade of unity there are serious disagreements that are gradually undermining the cohesion of Western countries. Related: Spain: 2026-03-11 Abortion as Spain's New Human Sacrifice Spain: 2026-03-11 IEA to recommend record release of strategic oil stocks because of Iran war, sources say Spain: 2026-03-08 The surprising wellness trend based on beer Related: Pedro Sánchez 02/07/2026 Mass Amnesty In Spain Heralds The End Of Nationhood Pedro Sánchez 02/02/2026 Leftist Leader Hails Great ‘Replacement' of Conservatives with Illegal Migrant Amnesty in Spain Pedro Sánchez 01/29/2026 Spanish Nationalists Furious: Socialist PM Sanchez Decrees Amnesty For 500K Illegals, Skirts Parliament | ||
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