Great overview on the migrants phenomenon, in Ceuta and Melilla.
On the role of Israel, one should add Itamar Ben Gvir comment on X: "My congratulations to the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, for his profound commitment to welcoming immigration and "human diversity". (...) open the doors of Spain and grant refuge to the residents of Gaza who seek to emigrate. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute a little more to Spain's "human diversity".
Thank you, Jose. I appreciate you. And a great addition! It’s a striking example of how quickly the migration crisis in Ceuta got tied up in the broader, bitter fallout over Gaza. Both sides have certainly dialed up the public rhetoric...
I am still amazed they keep holding on to these exclaves, they're just problems ever since immigration went front and center - I am not sure the "pros" as you laid them out perfectly (maritime law zoning) outweigh the cons... and as you say this might just be the goal here.
Those exclaves can be - and it seems will be - weaponized, as we've now seen yet again. Spain should seriously consider the implications or risk Schengen.
Everyone should focus on the who and how of this weekend's happenings and ask themselves "what for". If you have seen some of the live reporting I am seriously asking who lives in Ceuta and thinks "that was the best decision of my life"?
Well said, you make some strong points. Those are certainly questions Spain should be asking itself. At the same time, holding on to Ceuta has arguably become even more important given the rising regional tensions, particularly those involving Israel and the US...
Highly sharp analysis. What makes this piece so compelling is how seamlessly it connects the dots between Madrid’s recent foreign policy shifts and the sudden situation at the Ceuta border.
We often view migration crises purely through a humanitarian or local lens, but this clearly demonstrates how non-military vulnerabilities are weaponized in modern hybrid geopolitics. Europe needs to wake up to the fact that its southern border is no longer just a border management issue, but a primary geopolitical lever.
Thanks for sharing the factual evidence included in this article. It gives a good insight.
As discussed in a previous article, as Greek, I have a first hand knowledge of weaponising immigration. But this event takes it a step further because a significant choke point is affected as well.
Europe needs to do better if they want to survive let alone progress.
Great article. Weaponized migration is an increasingly used tool of statecraft. It is an interesting notion that Israel and the US would benefit from using it because they have been historical proponents of a liberal world order, and targets of this tool. However, you make a strong case that shows how interests have re-aligned. Kelly Greenhill has done some really good and brave work on this topic also: https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/when-migrants-become-weapons-long-history-and-worrying-future-coercive-tactic
Trump’s maritime action plan and stated objectives of controlling sea lanes at the chokepoints comes into focus.
On the matter of fracturing the EU, the EU is very Globalist, very anti-nationalist, very close to Blue State faction in America, who are the enemy of Trump, for that matter Israel. The similarity between this case and Venezuela, for that matter Iran is peeling away supports of the core opponents; Blue America and American globalists. Do recall the assassination attempt in Butler has Blue state / Intelligence Community traces all over it, as was noted at the time. We can’t blame the Administration for playing hardball with that and other matters considered.
An insightful piece. When one considers the continued presence of a historic Spanish enclave in North Africa, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Spanish sovereignty there is, in some respects, a legacy of colonialism.
Great overview on the migrants phenomenon, in Ceuta and Melilla.
On the role of Israel, one should add Itamar Ben Gvir comment on X: "My congratulations to the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, for his profound commitment to welcoming immigration and "human diversity". (...) open the doors of Spain and grant refuge to the residents of Gaza who seek to emigrate. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute a little more to Spain's "human diversity".
Thank you, Jose. I appreciate you. And a great addition! It’s a striking example of how quickly the migration crisis in Ceuta got tied up in the broader, bitter fallout over Gaza. Both sides have certainly dialed up the public rhetoric...
I am still amazed they keep holding on to these exclaves, they're just problems ever since immigration went front and center - I am not sure the "pros" as you laid them out perfectly (maritime law zoning) outweigh the cons... and as you say this might just be the goal here.
Those exclaves can be - and it seems will be - weaponized, as we've now seen yet again. Spain should seriously consider the implications or risk Schengen.
Everyone should focus on the who and how of this weekend's happenings and ask themselves "what for". If you have seen some of the live reporting I am seriously asking who lives in Ceuta and thinks "that was the best decision of my life"?
Well said, you make some strong points. Those are certainly questions Spain should be asking itself. At the same time, holding on to Ceuta has arguably become even more important given the rising regional tensions, particularly those involving Israel and the US...
Highly sharp analysis. What makes this piece so compelling is how seamlessly it connects the dots between Madrid’s recent foreign policy shifts and the sudden situation at the Ceuta border.
We often view migration crises purely through a humanitarian or local lens, but this clearly demonstrates how non-military vulnerabilities are weaponized in modern hybrid geopolitics. Europe needs to wake up to the fact that its southern border is no longer just a border management issue, but a primary geopolitical lever.
Thank you, Daniel! I appreciate the addition.
Thanks for sharing the factual evidence included in this article. It gives a good insight.
As discussed in a previous article, as Greek, I have a first hand knowledge of weaponising immigration. But this event takes it a step further because a significant choke point is affected as well.
Europe needs to do better if they want to survive let alone progress.
Thank you! And I couldn't agree more, Europe needs to wake up!
Great article. Weaponized migration is an increasingly used tool of statecraft. It is an interesting notion that Israel and the US would benefit from using it because they have been historical proponents of a liberal world order, and targets of this tool. However, you make a strong case that shows how interests have re-aligned. Kelly Greenhill has done some really good and brave work on this topic also: https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/when-migrants-become-weapons-long-history-and-worrying-future-coercive-tactic
Thank you, I really appreciate it! I'll definitely check out Kelly's work, and thanks for pointing me in that direction.
Excellent explanation(s) of the heart, of the matter(s), at hand.
Kudos!!
Thank you!
Trump’s maritime action plan and stated objectives of controlling sea lanes at the chokepoints comes into focus.
On the matter of fracturing the EU, the EU is very Globalist, very anti-nationalist, very close to Blue State faction in America, who are the enemy of Trump, for that matter Israel. The similarity between this case and Venezuela, for that matter Iran is peeling away supports of the core opponents; Blue America and American globalists. Do recall the assassination attempt in Butler has Blue state / Intelligence Community traces all over it, as was noted at the time. We can’t blame the Administration for playing hardball with that and other matters considered.
Imperial politics are always ugly.
Who benefits from the migration crisis ? The estate of Jean Raspail , author of “The Camp of the Saints “😉
An insightful piece. When one considers the continued presence of a historic Spanish enclave in North Africa, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Spanish sovereignty there is, in some respects, a legacy of colonialism.
We’re all a legacy of Colonialism. There’s the more pressing and eternal legacy of geography.