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against Spanish interests in Morocco

As you know, Spain is keeping sovereignty over the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in the Moroccan coast. I never understood the why; all I knew was that some of my friends and a cousin were sent there (at least at the time there was a draft in Spain, I don't know about it now)to fight the ragheads. It has been an undeclared war, with Moroccans shooting at the Spanish soldiers, and the Spaniards shooting back. I wasn't surprised at all when I read that some of the suspects arrested came from Morocco!

Remember that island off the coast of Morocco? Just a little rock, but some Moroccoans started using it and if I remember correctly, Spain sent in their special forces to protect it.

Ah yes, here is the story

Morocco will be a problem. Spain has contributed a decent amount of money and resources to Morocco, but nothing has come of it. The Moroccan monarchy (which is actually only some 50 years old) is making a show of cleaning up its act, but it's still pretty corrupt. However, knowing which side its bread is buttered on, it's not being overtly anti-Western and has cooperated in some investigations. I think this is mainly because the monarchy is also a target of AQ.

Many Spaniards are worried about Morocco making an advance on Spain now. Most of the press and the international community laughed about the defense of Persíl (the little island that the Moroccans tried to take over, whose name means "Parsley" in English), but it was actually intended by the Moroccans to be the first step from Morocco to the mainland. The only country that supported Spain was the US. It seems that France (to whom Spain first appealed) and the entire EU would have been perfectly happy to have Morocco advancing across the Strait unopposed and swarming up the coast of Spain.

The US-supported Spanish action kept Morocco back. But I don't think it's going to be holding Morocco back for long if ZP alienates the US. On the other hand, it may be that the strategic importance to us of the Strait (in any case, partially controlled by the Brits) is so great that we will continue to help Spain, regardless of the stupid statements of its Socialist leaders.