Foreign Policy

Abstract

When José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero came to power, his approach to foreign policy could be summarised in three sentences: no to war; a return to the heart of Europe; and the opposite of everything Aznar had done. His attitude, his lack of knowledge of the rules of the environment, his obvious contempt for reality, as well as his naïveté and frivolity, ensured that Spain’s status would diminish on the international scene. It ensured a Spain that would anger its main ally, the United States; a Spain that would fail to defend the country’s interests vis-à-vis its partners; a Spain that would ignore the nature and importance of the threats against her; and a Spain that would link up with any radical, anti-imperialist nation it might come across.