Current International Issues Study Guide

EU-CELAC

Bi-regional relations between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

G20 Members

Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico:Countries from Latin America and the Caribbean that are part of the G20, showcasing their international importance.

EU-LAC Trade and Technology Council

Initiative aimed at enhancing trade and technology cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Venezuelan Crisis

Political and economic turmoil in Venezuela leading to regional concerns and international reactions.

Gibraltar

British overseas territory on Spain's south coast with historical significance and current issues post-Brexit.

Ceuta and Melilla

Spanish enclaves in Morocco, causing tensions and migration issues between Spain and Morocco.

Western Sahara

Territory with a disputed status between Morocco and Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, leading to political controversies and UN involvement.

Transnational Migrations

US/Mexico; Mediterranean/Africa:Highlighting migration issues, root causes, and security concerns in different regions.

Frontex

European agency focusing on border and coast guard operations, addressing migration challenges in the Mediterranean and Africa.

Sahel

Region in Africa bordering the Sahara desert, involving countries like Mali, Niger, Chad, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso, with implications for Spain's relations and security strategies.

Sahel Region

Located close to North Africa, Spain serves as a key entry point for people from Sahel to reach Europe.

Security Concerns

Security is a major issue in the Sahel region, leading to collaborations between Spain and other nations to enhance stability.

Challenges in Sahel

The Sahel faces various challenges including mass migration, youth education, terrorism, arms trafficking, conflicts, and climate change.

UN Charter

The UN Charter establishes principles like sovereign equality, peaceful dispute resolution, and refraining from using force in international relations.

NATO Formation

NATO was formed in response to communist threats in Eastern Europe, with the North Atlantic Treaty signed in 1949 to ensure collective defense.

Article 5

A key component of NATO, Article 5 states that an attack on one member is an attack on all, requiring collective defense measures.

NATO-Russia Relations

NATO and Russia had constructive dialogues post-Cold War, but military cooperation was suspended in 2014 due to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Spain in NATO

Spain joined NATO in 1982, contributing to NATO's military capabilities and participating in various NATO operations and programs.

EU and Spain

Spain plays a significant role in the EU, contributing to various aspects like trade, climate change, and geopolitical relations with the Middle East.

Western Sahara

Spain's economic relations with Morocco and Western Sahara, including energy and fish exports, have implications for its broader Arab world relations.

Eu

EU stands for the European Union, a political and economic union of 27 European countries that work together on various issues like trade, security, and human rights.

NATO

NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 European and North American countries. NATO's purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

VIP-MERCOSUR

The Southern Common Market, commonly known by Spanish abbreviation Mercosur, and Portuguese Mercosul, is a South American trade bloc established by the Treaty of Asunción in 1991 and Protocol of Ouro Preto in 1994. Its full members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay

what is gilbraltar

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. It is known for its strategic location and the Rock of Gibraltar.

1. British overseas territory and headland on Spain's south coast 

2. Known partially for the rock of Gibraltar; played a key role in WWII

3. Gibraltar has played a crucial role in world politics due to its prime location at the entrance of the Mediterranean

Brexit

Brexit stands for "British exit" and refers to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, following a referendum held in June 2016.

Spanish perspective on Gilbraltar

1. From the spanish perspective, Brexit raised concerns and uncertainties regarding the future status of Gibraltar. Spain has long sought the return of Gibraltar to Spanish sovereignty, viewing it as a remnant of colonialism and an integral part of its territory 

2. In November 2018, Spain and the UK reached a bilateral agreement known as the “Gibraltar Protocol” which addressed some of the concerns raised by Spain regarding Gibraltar’s post-Brexit status. The protocol outlines principles for cooperation between Spain and the UK regarding Gibraltar-Spain border and cooperation on issues such as the environment, law enforcement, and tobacco smugglings

How does Brexit affect Gibraltar

1. Borders and migration 

   1. Before brexit, gibraltar had seamless movement of people/ goods to Spain due to their EU membership

   2. After brexit border controls produced barriers for migration and international trade 

   3. Gibraltars government must work with spanish authorities to implement measures to streamline border crossing and continued economic integration 

2. Economy 

   1. Gibraltar’s economy relies on sectors such as finance, online gaming, and tourism

   2. Brexit posed challenges that harmed future trade arrangements and access to EU markets for each of these sectors

3. Sovereignty and political landscapes 

   1. Brexit reignited discussion about gibraltars sovereignty with spain renewing its claim to the territory 

   2. The gibraltar government and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to Gibraltars British sovieregnty 

   3. Political dynamics were influenced by brexit opening debate about gibraltars future relationship with the UK and the EU

4. Security and diplomatic relations 

   1. Gibraltar location makes it a significant military and security with Gibraltar, Spain, and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to counter-terrorism 

maghreb

1. Maghreb= countries of Northwest Africa →Mauritania, morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya; means land of the setting sun

2. Until the end of WWII: Spanish foreign action concentrated in North-western Africa through a colonial policy geographically limited

Maghreb during Franco

1. Need to approach saudi arabia, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan to seek support for Spain joining UN, and to support Spanish revendications over Gibraltar

2. Two pillars

   1. Al andalus as myth of peaceful coexistence between Spaniards and Arabs

   2. Support for the non-recognition of Israel (Israel having opposed to the lifting up of Spanish isolation by UN in 1948)

3. Spanish soft-power and Arab countries: fostering cultural relationships

4. Support of the Palestinian cause

5. 1956: Spain agrees to Moroccan independence from French and Spanish mandates 

   1. Tarfaya 1958

   2. Sidi Ifni 1969

   3. Western Sahara→ 1976: Morocco and Mauritania management

6. The Mediterranean represents one of the main political scenarios for Spain 

   1. Historical reasons 

      1. Colonialism 

      2. Franco’s foreign policy, continued after the transition 

   2. European Community

      1. Recognition of the state of Israel 

      2. Madrid conference of 1991

7. Spain's policy in the Middle East since 2001 

   1. Profoundly marked by Spain-US relations during Aznar’s mandated (1996-2004)

      1. Creation in 2002 during Spain EU presidency of the “Quartet on the Middle East” (UN, US, EU, Russia)

   2. Political divide due to Spain’s military intervention in Iraq during the Second Gulf War

   3. Zapatero’s soft power related to the Mediterranean: United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) 2005, supported by Turkey

disputes with ceuta and melilla

1. Melilla→ conquered by the Spanish in 1496

   1. Was-Ras treaty–end of hispano-moroccan war: ceuta and melilla stayed under the spanish crown and were enlarged

      1. Spain joined european countries during the scramble for africa, trying to expand its colonies

      2. Spanish impute disintegration in the XIXth century (Cuba, Philippines)

2. The Portuguese ceded Ceuta to Spain in 1668 mainly because Ceuta had sided with Spain during the war that broke out between the two countries after 1640

3. In recent times morocco-spain relations have been friendly though intermittently discordant over this issue: ceuta and melilla are still claimed by morocco and sometimes cause bilateral tensions along with territorial waters disputes and the western sahara issue

western sahara

1. 1965-1972, Un general assembly passes several resolutions requesting Spain to decolonize the territory and to organize and to organize a referendum on self-determination of the territory 

2. Green march orchestrated by King Hassan II in Nov 1975

3. Madrid Accord (spain, morocco, and mauritania, Nov 14th 1975) to end the spanish presence in the territory of Spanish Sahara

Sanchez and Morocco

1. March 2022–sanchez government turn from “active neutrality” on the western sahara conflict: letter sent to the king of morocco: “Spain considers the moroccan proposal of autonomy presented in 2007 as the most serious, credible, and realist basis for the resolution of the dispute” 

2. This “autonomy solution” is refused by both the Polisario Front and Argelia. Also, most of the parliamentary groups in the Spanish Cortes refused this

3. In a letter to King Mohammed, Sanchez backed Morocco’s plan to give more autonomy to Western Sahara as long as it remains unquestionably under Moroccan grip.

Israel and Palestine

1. The Spanish chief diplomat said the Israeli attacks on the Gaza strip may expand and “reach a mutual larger regional scope” stressing that Spain will continue to raise its voice against the killing of thousands of Palestinian civilians 

2. The country’s prime minister and chief diplomat stand behind the end of these horrific acts of violence and intend to send as much aid/statements to end the conflict 

3. Since 2015 meetings have been conducted with Spain’s presence to end the Gaza-Israel conflict 

4. Prime Minister Sanchez and spains chief of office are actively issuing public statements, supporting international initiatives, and engaging diplomatically 

5. EU response to Gaza conflict 

   1. Countries with support for Israel's right to defend itself 

   2. Countries who have condemned israels actions and called for an immediate ceasefire

   3. Divisions within the EU over Israel's military operations

   4. Effectiveness of EU at risk 

US Mexico migrations

1. Recent acts 

   1. 1996 Illegal immigration reform and immigrant responsibility act 

      1. Increased enforcement at border, and reinforced measures to deport existing illegal immigrants in worksite environments 

   2. 2006 Secure Fence Act

      1. ○ Construction of double layered fence 700 miles along Mexican border 

   3. 2014 DAPA (deferred action for parents of Americans and lawful permanent residents)

      1. Under Obama, this act mean to lighten the restrictions of parents with children in the US or who have lived in the US at least 5 years and provide deportation relief 

      2. This action never fully made it through

Push Factos Mexico US

1. unemployment / underemployment 

2. Low wages

3. Farmers whose crops fail 

4. Political instability/corruption

5. Violence and crime 

   1. Often linked with gangs and drug cartels

6. Flee war and persecution 

7. Environmental factors 

   1. Natural disasters 

   2. Climate change

Pull factors mexico US

1. Labor recruitment/ job opportunities

2. Family unification 

3. Safety 

4. Political stability

5. Education

6. Healthcare

Mediterranean / Africa migrations

1. Root cause: large gap that exists between the EU and Africa; job opportunities, political instability, environmental degradation, violence

2. 74% of african migrants are economic migrants 

3. The western african route connects western african countries with the canary islands 

4. The two spanish enclaves in morocco, melilla and ceuta, share the Eu only land broders with africa. Migrants from morocco and other african countries regularly try to cross into the spanish territories 

5. Africa focus 2023→ emphasize on cooperation, migration management, and combating human trafficking

6. EU emergency trust fund for africa→ support programs addressing poverty, governance issues, and insecurity 

7. New pact on migration and asylum

Spain relations and Sahel

1. Mali, Niger, Chad, Mauritania, Burkina Faso; Sahel= Arabic word for border; people are seminomadic 

2. Spain is very close to North Africa; Spain became a key place for peole from Sahel to come to Europe 

   1. Security is a major concern in the Sahel

Challenges in the Sahel

1. Mass migration 

2. Youth and schooling 

3. Terrorism and arms trafficking 

   1. Conflicts, weather, opportunities, political gain 

   2. Since 2021: 6 coup attempts

   3. Markets: contraband goods

      1. Assault rifles and fake medicines 

      2. Cash-cash relations

      3. Improving detection and interception 

4. Desertification 

   1. Human impact

      1. Armed violence, overgrazing

      2. Climate change and deforestation 

      3. 1984-85: hunger belt→ drought

Spain and Western Sahara

1. Spains relations tainted by western sahara 

   1. Economic relations with morocoo and w. Sahara (45% of all exports to africa)

   2. Military material

      1. 2nd largest purchaser of spanish arms

      2. >$500 million to morocco/yr 

   3. Energy: 

      1. 85% of w sahara petroleum comes from CEPSA & REPSOL SIEMENS GAMESA had $2.8 billion deal and two wind farms 

   4. Fish 

      1. Largest exporter of fish > spain 

      2. 75% of sardines and 95% of all squid from w sahara ($1.6 billion/yr)

   5. In 2012 the EU court of justice announced that deals with morocco could not include w sahara as it was not under their sovereignty 

Spain committment in Sahel region

1. Youth employment

2. Rural development 

3. Food security

4. Energy and climate

5. Governance

6. Descentralization 

7. Access to basic services

8. Security 

9. G5

   1. Burking faso

   2. Chad

   3. Mauritania

   4. Niger 

   5. Mali-2022

10. Democracy sustainable development 

11. Stability in the reion

12. Combat terrorism 

The UN

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries. It has 193 member states and works on various global issues.

1. Result of post WWII with a neoliberal way of thinking 

2. An attempt to build an international order based on rules and norms rather than solely force 

3. Substitute politics with law at international level 

4. Include general assembly that is not legally binding and security council which is legally binding and can veto power members

UN Charter

The United Nations Charter is a foundational treaty of the United Nations, signed on June 26, 1945. It sets out the purposes and principles of the organization, as well as the structure and functions of its various bodies.

1. Principles: 

   1. Sovereign equality for all members 

   2. Fulfill obligations in good faith 

   3. Settle international disputes by peaceful means 

   4. Refrain in international relations from the threat/use of force against territorial integrity

   5. Refrain from giving assistance to any state against which the UN is taking preventative action 

UN System of Collective Security 

Attempt to stop aggressive/unlawful use of force through united action

1. Located in articles 39-43 in Charter: 

   1. Article 39: Security Council has power to determine the existence of any threat to peace or act of aggression and decide what measures to take to restore peace 

   2. Article 40-41: coercive measures not involving use of military force including severance of diplomatic relations, interruption of communication,, ceasefire, etc. → puts pressure on State to stop certain behavior that are using military force

   3. Article 42: Coercive measures; included in case article 41 fails; authorization to member states to maintain and secure peace/security through military force (air strikes, naval, land operations, etc.) 

   4. Article43: states required to sign agreement with UN to provide forces and facilities in order to allow it to intervene → NEVER APPLIED 

Limitations to Security Council

1. Lack of SC control over operations 

2. Limited possibility of judicial review

3. Big margin for states to pursue own interests 

4. Broad conception of peace & no clear definition of aggression/threat to peace    

5. Veto power reinforces discretionally 

6. No obligation to act for Security Council or execute a resolution 

Peacekeeping

1. Characterized for non coercive nature

2. Not against on party in the field 

3. Difficulties & Problems: 

   1. Based on consent of parties involved 

   2. Capacity of freezing and not solving conflicts 

   3. Used in contexts where there is no peace to keep

   4. Often drawn into the conflict 

UNBT

1. United Nations Brussels Team (UNBT) established to bring forward impartial mandate and extensive country presence 

2. Work to support for UN system activities and global agendas within EU institutions and among the wider European public 

3. Priorities pertain to engage the UN with EU institutions and policies/legislation

4. Problems w/ UNBT

   1. No collective police to enforce decisions → delegation to powerful state 

   2. Capacity of solving crisis depends on interests and resources from powerful states 

   3. Dependent on interests of strong states such as the U.S.

Inaction with UNBT

1. Massacre of Srebrenica (July 1995)

   1. UN peacekeeping officials unwilling to follow requests for support from own force within Srebrenica → Bosnian Serb forces overran region an carried out violence & abuse on civilians without interference from U.N soldiers 

2. Yugoslavian Wars 

   1. June 1991: Croatia & Slovenia declare independence unilaterally → Serbia declares war on both → Slovenia recognized as independent → Sept. 1991 Macedonia declares itself independent without conflict 

   2. 1991-2008: Yugoslavia fractured in nationalistic tensions and 5 secession wars  

      1. Wars allowed for: exercise for international intervention after Cold War, improvement of methods to tear down regimes, military lessons among Western actors 

3. Russian-Ukraine (March 2 2023)

   1. Resolution for Immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine 

   2. In favor: 141; Against: 5; Abstain: 35

4. Gaza (November 22, 2023)

   1. Secretary General: welcomes agreement reached by Israel and Hamas with mediation of Qatar supported by Egypt and US; UN will mobilize all capacities to support implementation of agreement 

   2. UN called to allow humanitarian access, avoidance of collective punishment, & release of hostages 

5. Appeal for Occupied Palestine Territory 

   1. $1.2 billion requirement for 2.7 million people in Gaza & west Bank 

      1. Must have sufficient quantities of fuel for humanitarian operations 

      2. Flow of assistance into Gaza must increase 

      3. Funding must be timely and flexible to allow assistance to adapt to dynamic context 

NATO Future role. Issues at stake

32 members

Formation

1. Threatened by the strong communist position in eastern europe , the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg came together to form the Western Union in 1948

2. The blockade of West Berlin and the Communist coup d’etat in Czechoslovakia exposed the need for a stronger alliance and led to the North Atlantic Treaty being signed by Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, the US, and Western Union countries in 1949

3. The start of the Korean War in 1950 led rapid consolidation in NATO and the formation of an effective military strucutre with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe based in Rocquencourt and the first Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Dwight D Eisenhower

4. The soviets respond with the formation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955

5. The guiding NATO principle, massive retaliation promised a nuclear response to any Soviet attack, setting up a status quo of mutually assured destruction 

6. The Suez Crisis iin 1956 demonstrating the influence of the US over NATO and the height of nuclear tensions

Cold War and Post Cold War

Cold war tensions peaked during the Cuban Missile Crisis leading to the adoption of a flexible response policy that would giver NATO the option to respons to a military attack without using nuclear weapons

1. The increased dialogue culminated in the Helsinki Final Act, an agreement between NATO and the members of the Warsaw pact to respect the fundamental freedom of their citizens in 1975

2. The United States and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 1987, eliminating all nuclear missiles with the intemediate ranges, signalling the beginning of the end of the Cold War

The shape of NATO begins to change and encompasses conflicts and relationship in the European Periphery 

1. The military involvement of NATO in the Yugoslav Wars and Kosovo demonstrated the expanded scope 

2. The septa,ber 11 attacks on the world trade centre led to the first ever invocation of article 5, multiple NATO members contributed troops–further proof of the shift away from a purely european theatre

Article 5 and 9/11

1. Article 5

   1. All participating member agreed upon joining the treaty that article 5 which focus on the collective defence is a key component of the alliance 

   2. An attack on one member is an attack on all members 

   3. All actions taken in an armed force attack must be reported to and approved by the security council

2. 24 hours after the attack, NATO invoked article 5 for the first time

3. NATO forced soon entered afghanistan with the mission to dismantle Al Qaeda and prevent afghanistan as a base to plan further terrorist attacks that would harm world peace

NATO relations

Russia

1. Relations began shortly after the conclusion of the cold war, NATO had constructive dialogue on securtiy issues with Russia through the NATO-Rusia Council (NRC)

2. NATO military co-operation with Russia has been suspendin since 2014 in response to Russias military intervention in Ukraine and its illegal annexation of crimea 

3. Why russia hasnt joined NATO 

   1. Secrecy over nuclear weapons 

   2. Russias global ambitions 

   3. Relationship with china

Trump

1. Before inauguration he criticized europe’s nato member of not paying their legally agreed upon 2% of GDP

2. Threatened that a NATO member under attack would not be helped by US armed forces unless that country met its 2% GDP obligations

3. Trump felt that the US involvement in NATO was a waste of taxpayers money as it went against his administrations “America First” agenda

Spain

1. Spain became NATOs 16th member on may 30 1982

2. Spain joined the integrated military structure in 1999 and remains trustworthy and reliable member, committed to the atlantic alliance and to the values it represents

3. The Combines Air Operations Centre Torrejon controls NATO airspace in the southern half of europe 

4. NATO contributes a whole range of military capabilities to the Allience, including the Command and Control entities, the NATO rapid Deployable Corps

5. The counter-improvised explosive devices center of excellence located in madrid and the tactical leaderhip programme for allied fighter aircraft crew members based in Albacete

6. Spain also makes a notable contribution to NATOs ballistic Missile Defense System, with four ES Aegis destroyers based at the Naval Station Rota

The EU, role, participation, origins, issues

1. The European Union is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. 

2. Negotiations to join EU started in 1979 during transition 

   1. Treaty of accession signed in madrid june 12th 1985

   2. Jan 1 1986 Spains accessin to the EEC

3. Results 

   1. Direct economic positive impact

   2. Economy became much more open 

   3. FDI poured in 

4. Strategic lines through presidencies of EU

   1. Economy

      1. € entry into circulation (2002) 

      2. Global financial criris: bailout loan to rescue Greece

   2. Politics

      1. LA and the mediterranean focus remain but 

         1. Security issues came to the frontline

         2. Eu enlargentment discussion 

      2. Lisbon treaty (dec2009): establishment of the EU presidency, creation of the EEAS

         1. LA and the Mediterranean focus 

   3. Strategic autonomy will be one of the priorities of the spanish presidency of the european union

Eu top priorities

1. Top priorities 

   1. Globalization, development, governance

   2. International security challenges. Peace 

   3. Democracy, rights, citizenship

   4. Climate and energetic transition 

   5. Economic transformations and technology 

   6. The future of europe 

   7. Latin america as a global actor 

   8. China, USA, and new world order 

   9. Neighborhood policies: challenges 

   10. Spain: image and influences

Eu challenges

1. Spain and its position within the EU/NATO in reference to the Ukraine war 

2. Spain and its position withinEU/NATO in reference to the israel-Gaza war

3. Trumps reelection? 

4. Ukraine as EU member state? 

The European Parliament

the EU's law-making body. It is directly elected by EU voters every 5 years.

The european council

the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union.

The council of the european union

government ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies. The ministers have the authority to commit their governments to the actions agreed on in the meetings.

The european commission

the EU's politically independent executive arm. It is alone responsible for drawing up proposals for new European legislation, and it implements the decisions of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

The court of justice of the european union

the judicial institution of the European Union. This means that it deals with disputes between parties as the courts do in Ireland. The CJEU ensures that European law is interpreted and applied in the same way in every member state

The european central bank

the central bank of the 19 countries that use the euro as their official currency (see Countries using the euro. ). The euro is the official currency of over 340 million people.

The court of auditors

audits the accounts and oversees the implementation of the budgets of the institutions of the European Union. It aims to improve financial management of EU money and to report to EU citizens on how EU money is used.