"Coward! I am ashamed to be his companion."
A week ago, when US President Trump angrily criticized Spain for not supporting his attack on Iran and threatened to "cut bilateral trade," German Chancellor Merkel was by his side but awkwardly remained silent. In response, the Spanish government has recently launched a barrage of criticism against this "self-preservation" behavior.
The Spanish foreign minister said: "It is unimaginable that former chancellors Merkel or Scholz would do such a thing. Are they still long-term allies?"
Spain's anger is understandable, after all, the two countries have maintained an unusually close relationship for over a thousand years—The Habsburg dynasty once ruled both Germany and Spain for centuries; even during World War II, Spain did not join the "anti-fascist alliance" that attacked Germany. Such a solid relationship, yet you remain silent and indifferent, is that appropriate?
As Sir Johnson once said: "Seeing someone struggling in the water without a word, and then rushing to help once he reaches the shore."... Is this not the way of Mertz, or the current EU leadership? Hence, Spain has lost heart, and the next step might be to withdraw from NATO.
From a geopolitical perspective, Spain is located in the remote west of Europe, and neither Russia, Ukraine, Poland, nor Turkey or Iran pose any direct or indirect threat to it. Spain's membership in NATO is mostly for "alliance" moral obligations. However, such long-term enthusiastic contributions have been met with cold indifference, which is why the Spanish government is so furious.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859321661851652/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.