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Home / Themes / Influence and image of Spain / Page 2

Influence and image of Spain

Close-up of two soldiers in camouflage uniforms. One has a Spanish flag patch on their shoulder, and the other has a NATO Latvia patch, representing collaboration within the NATO alliance. Defence
Inside Spain Experts Comments

Spain under pressure to spend more on defence

Spain’s defence expenditure is the lowest among the 32 NATO members. The government is finding it politically difficult to increase it.

By William Chislett
08 Apr 2025 //
7 mins Reading time
Aerial view of a basketball court with worn-out lines and a cracked surface. Two people are playing on the court, casting long shadows under the sunlight. Education
Inside Spain Experts Comments

Some brighter spots in education

Spain has made significant progress in reducing early school-leaving rates, a long-standing challenge in its education system.

By William Chislett
10 Mar 2025 //
7 mins Reading time
Daytime aerial view of the Strait of Gibraltar, separating Spain (north) and Morocco (south). Visible features include the Sierra Nevada in Spain, the mountainous coastline of Morocco, the River Guadalquivir, and the cities of Gibraltar and Ceuta under clear skies. Ceuta and Melilla
Influence and image of Spain Analyses

New narratives for the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla

Renewing the narratives about Ceuta and Melilla is key to emphasise their status as democratic European spaces.

By Alejandro del Valle Gálvez
19 Feb 2025 //
36 mins Reading time
Valencia city street during the day. In the foreground, at the bottom, people are walking in different directions. Shops can be seen on either side. In the background, a church tower stands out against the skyline; it is built of stone, with a bell and a pointed top. Middle class
Inside Spain Experts Comments

The middle class recovers

The middle class grew until the 2008 economic crash, declined during COVID, and has now returned to its previous share of the population.

By William Chislett
11 Feb 2025 //
4 mins Reading time
View of Plaza Mayor in Madrid (Spain) on a cloudy day. At the centre, the equestrian statue of King Philip III stands out, surrounded by red-facade buildings, grey slate roofs, and aligned balconies. The arcades on the ground floor host cafés and shops, with several people visible walking around. In the foreground, an ornate black lamppost is prominent. Madrid
Influence and image of Spain Analyses

What passes through foreigners’ minds when they think about Madrid

The image Madrid projects abroad, lacking diversity and overlapping with that of Spain, does not reflect the reality shown by the data.

By José Pablo Martínez
28 Jan 2025 //
8 mins Reading time
A close-up view of a residential brick apartment building with multiple balconies and green railings. Economy
Influence and image of Spain Experts Comments

A buoyant economy, marred by an overheated property market

Spain's economy led in 2024's macroeconomic data, with the focus now on tackling the escalating housing crisis.

By William Chislett
21 Jan 2025 //
9 mins Reading time
Partially collapsed building in Letur (Albacete) with shattered walls, exposed bricks, broken windows, and debris scattered around, showing damage caused by the ‘DANA’ storm. water
Inside Spain Experts Comments

Spain’s stressful water problem

Spain has been hit by torrential rain, causing deadly flooding, and by drought, all caused by country's persistent water management issues.

By William Chislett
17 Dec 2024 //
7 mins Reading time
Vector illustration of the map of Spain with a network of connections illuminated in light blue, with a background in a colour gradient between navy blue and black
Influence and image of Spain Events

Presentation of the Elcano Policy Paper: ‘Spain in the world in 2025: perspectives and challenges’

The Elcano Royal Institute analyses the prospects of Spain in the world for 2025, the international outlook and short-term challenges.

17 Dec 2024 //
2 mins Reading time
Sunset at the Retiro Park Lake (Madrid) with visitors relaxing and boats on the water. Spain
Inside Spain Experts Comments

Spain’s complex demographic reality

Spain's declining birth rates and ageing population highlight an urgent need for policy and societal reform in a complex demographic reality.

By William Chislett
19 Nov 2024 //
7 mins Reading time

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Latest Publications

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Washington has lost its way

February 6, 2026

Close-up of the Ukrainian flag flying on a flagpole atop the hill of the High Castle in Lviv.

Roundtable “Ukraine: between war and peace”

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ICE Special Response Team at a briefing prior to an arrest in Rhode Island. In the foreground, part of one of the members' uniforms with the ICE - Special Response Team insignia. Behind, several members of the team in military uniforms gathered around a table with a dossier on top containing a blurred photo of the person they are going to arrest.

‘ICE is not welcome’: urban raids, capacity and the politics of US immigration enforcement

February 4, 2026

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