Foreign Policy Research Institute A Nation Must Think Before it Acts US-Spain Relations: The North African Dimension

A nation must think before it acts.

Foreign Policy Research Institute Foreign Policy Research Institute

US-Spain Relations: The North African Dimension

May 23, 2025 | 10:00 am | Africa Program

About the Event

Since the September 11th attacks, the strategic partnership between Spain and the United States has been driven mainly by shared counter-terrorism concerns. This has led to significant intelligence sharing and defense security cooperation on the African continent, particularly in East Africa and the Sahel. It has also reinforced the importance of the US overseas military footprint in Spain (e.g., Naval Station Rota). 

However, US-Spain relations have experienced increased tensions over the last few years due to domestic political factors as well as foreign policy misalignments. These intersect in the cases of the
Israel/Palestinian Territories and Morocco/Western Sahara. 
 
Will the strategic partnership be able to endure unchanged? Join FPRI Trustee and Africa Program Chair, Ambassador Charles Ray for a panel discussion exploring how the situation in North Africa could influence relations between Spain and the United States. 

FPRI is happy to provide this event free of charge thanks to the generous support of our members, partners, and event attendees. If you are not currently a member, the suggested donation is $25.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our events coordinator, Christine Datesman at cdatesman@fpri.org



Speakers

Alberto Bueno

Alberto Bueno - Dr. Alberto Bueno is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and a member of the Institute for Peace and Conflict at the University of Granada.

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Eduard Soler i Lecha

Eduard Soler i Lecha - Eduard Soler i Lecha is an Associate Professor in International Relations at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and an Associate Senior Researcher at CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs). ; Moderator

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Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez

Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez - Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez is a tenured Full Professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, where he teaches Journalism and International Studies, and he has been Prince of Asturias Distinguished Visiting Professor at the School of Foreign Service (Georgetown University, 2021-2024). 

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Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh - Michael Walsh is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Africa Program.

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Charles A. Ray

Charles A. Ray - Charles A. Ray, a member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, served as US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of Zimbabwe.

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