Spain Provides Troops for Friendlier Relations with U.S.

Spanish administration continues to work on repairing their relations with the United States, since President Obama's move into office. Their most recent efforts? They have committed to increasing their troops over 1,000 in Afghanistan (a 222 troop count increases from their current 778). According to an article, the move is thought to be "symbolic" of how far the country's Prime Minister[President] Zapatero is willing to go in order to repair the damage caused by the not so friendly relations during the Bush administrations time in office. This move would not only show efforts for increased favoritism of Obama's newest plan for Afghanistan, but also an overall increased respect for the Obama administration all together. According to Time's wrap up of Obama's Afghanistan plan, it is quoted that he, "Like Bush, Obama plans to send more U.S. troops to fight the insurgency in Afghanistan. In fact, when you add them up — the additional brigade Bush announced in January, the 17,000 combat troops Obama announced a couple of weeks ago and the 4,000 trainers added Friday — you get almost exactly the same number of extra troops sent into Iraq for the "surge."" Something I find exhausting about this is if Bush had just had better relations with Spain, their administration, and government - the ability to have support from not only Spain but other possible supports was there. An underlying hope from the Spain administration is for past active relations to become more common again, such as according to an article, "common policies from climate change to relations with Latin America and Muslim countries."

Although the two have already met, they will speak of the official terms and details of the announcement next week when they meet in Prague for a European Union-US summit. Zapatero speaks highly of Obama since they first met, according a quote provided to the Spanish press, saying, "“My impression of [President Obama] couldn't be better. The US and the world in general are experiencing a time of great hope." With Spain stepping up as the first European country to take the first leap towards success for Obama's plan, others are sure to follow. Although this shows a great initiative from the country, it is doubtful they will provide any more troops as, according to article, "most Spaniards don’t support a military solution and want an exit strategy that allows Afghanistan to reestablish control over its own affairs."

(Photo credit: RICARDO GUTIÉRREZ / AFP)