Madrid
Spain affirmed its newfound opposition to the Iraq war this week as it welcomed the leaders of war opponents France and Germany. “The Old Europe is like new,” said Spanish Prime Minister Jose Zapatero. Under Zapatero’s predecessor, Jose Maria Aznar, Spain was a firm ally of the U.S. in the Iraq war, joining many Eastern European countries in what Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld called “New Europe.” But Spain’s parliamentary election this spring, held just after the terrorist bombings of trains in Madrid, brought the anti-war Socialists to power, and Spain quickly pulled its troops out of Iraq.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The UK-made Storm Shadow missiles Ukraine is using in RussiaThe Explainer Ukraine reportedly deployed the long-range British missiles this week, following a tense meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump
-
Dry skin, begone! 8 products to keep your skin supple while travelingThe Week Recommends Say goodbye to dry and hello to hydration
-
Crossword: October 23, 2025The Week's daily crossword
