After hearing the annoumcements of the incoming socialist goverment of Spain, there is no longer any doubt. The US has lost an ally in the War on Terorism.
Spains minor contribution of 1300 troops in Iraq is an insignificant loss. Unlike the Polish troops which have good local realtions with the Iraqis, the spanish were just taking up space.
Spain's status as a member of the Coalition of the Willing had some impact for a europeaen nation willing to stand against Terrorism. This was noticed in the UN and by other goverments. But it is not irreplaceable.
The real loss is the loss of the Spanish Navy and their interdiction efforts in the Mediterranean. Ships carrying North Korean arms have been intercepted in the recent past by the Spanish Navy. They have given valuable INTEL on shipping traffic to the US. They have even searched for Al Qaeda transiting aboard merchant vessels going thru the Strait of Gibraltar.
Make no doubt , US Seventh Fleet right now is scrambling for an OPs plan to make up for the near future loss of Spain's greatest contribution to the Coalition. The Spanish Navy , with it long history and global spanning record now forced back into the shadows by one terrorist act.
/Somebody really should get Archimedes Lever back from AL Qaeda.
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