Redifining Spain´s Security and Defense Policy for the second Decade of the XXIst Century: Wiping the Slate clean

Abstract

This article deals with the Spanish Security and Defense Policy at the beginning of the second decade of the XXI century, and the need to redefine it from the experience during the last ten years. The paper analyzes the different policies governments have followed during this period with constant changes, lack of consensus among political forces, social rejection and lack of long-term strategy. It also studies the strategic shift in the Foreign and Security Policy during the second term of the Aznar period, when the relationship with the U.S. became the absolute priority after the 11-S, prompting both the popular rejection and the electoral defeat of the Popular Party. Furthermore, the article studies the evolution of the Security and Defense policy of the government of President Rodriguez Zapatero, starting from the symbolic withdrawal from Iraq up to the decision to take part with the United States in the NATO missile shield. This security policy was characterized by its subordination to domestic politics, obsession with public opinion and public image, improvisation and incoherence. Finally, the article deals with the Spanish Security Strategy approved at the end of the current legislature (although announced in 2008) without both political consensus and enough time to be implemented. We analyze its contents and potential usefulness as a basis for the Security and Defense policy in the coming years.