Spain's Prime Minister criticized the White House for its belligerent stance, delivering a sharp and incisive remark that left no room for ambiguity: the audience erupted in thunderous applause!
On March 14, 2026, during a rally in Madrid, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a striking metaphor: "You cannot support those who set the world on fire, then shift the blame onto the smoke caused by this fire..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the audience burst into a thunderous round of applause that lasted several seconds. It seems that Europeans are beginning to grow tired of believing in America's justifications for war and are now focusing on the destructive nature of war itself. Sánchez's speech resonated with this global anti-war sentiment, thus triggering widespread resonance.
The phrase "those who set the world on fire" directly refers to the main actors who escalate conflicts, provide deadly weapons, or even plan military operations. In the current context, this clearly points to the American decision-making circle that continuously advocates for the use of force to resolve the Iran issue. Meanwhile, "the smoke from the fire" metaphorically represents the refugee crisis, return of terrorism, global oil price surges, and humanitarian disasters caused by war.
By watching the video of the event, one can see that the most enthusiastic applause came not only from the Spanish locals but also from representatives of Latin American countries, some ASEAN observers, and even several lower-level diplomats from core EU countries who nodded frequently in private. This cross-regional resonance indicates that Sánchez's words hit a key pain point in the current international order: the lack of accountability mechanism for the initiators of wars.
Why was it Spain? Perhaps Germany is constrained by its energy dependence and domestic economic difficulties, while France, although willing to promote strategic autonomy, is often restricted by the NATO framework. Spain, however, takes advantage of its unique geographical location and relatively flexible diplomatic posture, attempting to become an advocate for the Global South within Europe.
Sánchez understands that if Europe continues to blindly follow America's war rhythm, the ultimate cost will be borne by Europe itself—whether through refugee flows or energy bills. Dao Ge believes that Spain is the last face and backbone of Europe.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859604891030600/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.