More than just a promise
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s decision to repatriate immediately the Plus Ultra Brigade, deployed in the southern-central region of Iraq by the Aznar government, is more than simple fulfilment of an election pledge
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Algeria after the re-election of Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Abdelaziz Bouteflika was re-elected president of the Republic of Algeria in the first round of presidential elections held on April 8, 2004. Repeated declarations of neutrality by the armed forces, as well as the willingness expressed by the Chief of the General Staff, Mohamed Lamari, to accept the victory of any candidate –including the leader of the Islah Islamist party, Abdallah Jabala– led international observers to take greater interest in these elections.
On Altitude Sickness: Foreign Policy, Public Opinion and the Fight Against Terrorism
The effects of March 11 have brought about an important change in the way Spaniards perceive what their role should be in international affairs. The up-beat viewpoint of recent years, with Spain’s taking on significant responsibilities both in European and Atlantic affairs, has given way to a return to the old attitudes of withdrawal from active participation in international affairs that were characteristic of the period of 19th century prime minister Cánovas del Castillo.
Tony Blair and the UK referendum on the European Union’s constitutional treaty
The author examines the British government’s decision to put the European Union’s constitutional treaty to a referendum of the British people and the risks this entails for its eventual ratification
Renegotiating the Nice Agreement: Spain in the European Parliament
This paper looks at the distribution of relative voting power in the European Parliament. It also explains why it is important for Spain to insist on defending its interests in the constitutional proposal for new voting procedures in the European Council
The Future European Constitution: The Polish Point of View
The author presents the Polish point of view on the controversy surrounding the decision-making process by a qualified majority in the future European Constitution
How to achieve the Millennium Development Goals: Some Suggestions for Spanish Cooperation
This Analysis suggests that development policies of both developing and donor countries should have a sharper focus on the MDGs, as well as on the particular characteristics of each country and population groups within each country. Such focus on the MDGs would require policies aimed at pro-poor growth and the provision of non-discriminatory social services, both of which could imply, in turn, major policy changes
Latin America and human rights in Cuba
Meeting at its Geneva headquarters on April 15, the United Nations Human Rights Commission voted in favour (22 to 21, with 10 abstentions) of a resolution on the state of human rights in Cuba. Like every year, it was one of the key moments at the meeting of the Commission, which once again confronted the governments of Washington and Havana. The Latin American vote was decisive
Foreign Policy Priorities of the Incoming Socialist Government: Tackle the Problem of the War in Iraq and Cut the Gordian Knot of the European Constitution
This report examines the repercussions of the socialist victory in the general elections of 14 March on Spanish foreign policy and the main problems the incoming Administration will have in implementing its foreign-policy election pledges
For More Realistic and Efficient Spanish-Moroccan Relations
Historically, the varying quality of Spanish-Moroccan relations has been determined almost exclusively by the vicissitudes of domestic politics in both countries. However, despite the numerous ups and downs, Perejil included, the official rhetoric has always expressed a ‘mutual desire to strengthen fruitful relations between fraternal nations’.
Does al-Qaeda have a global strategy?
The attacks in Madrid on March 11 of this year are an example of how terrorists, when choosing a place, time and form of action, can help generate reactions which, in turn, have amplified consequences that serve their purposes.
The enlargement of the European Union
The recent EU enlargement taking in ten new members creates fresh expectations within the Continent that will influence community thinking during the next few years