But that's ok since Iraq is the "bad" war and Spain is still helping in Afghanistan--the"good" war justified by 9-11. I mean, that's what everyone says, right? I mean, except the jihadis who don't draw such fine distinctions and just want to kill us all.
I try not to be too hard on Spain. In a long war on terror, coalition members will fade and step up. Spain stepped up on Iraq and then faded. And Spain stepped up in Afghanistan. The Spanish even made a stand over the Parsley Islands. It is too much to expect all countries to wage war relentlessly all the time. We must be patient and take help as it is given; and gently prod those who have fallen out on the side of the road until they can saddle up again. Spain even seemed like she might step up again.
But now that two helicopters crashed from mechanical difficulties in Afghanistan on a training mission, killing 17 Spanish soldiers, the Spanish are a bit nervous about the "good" war:
A Spanish Super Puma helicopter crashed during a training exercise, killing 17 Spanish troops. It appeared to be an accident. This caused an uproar back in Spain, and calls for the thousand Spanish troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.
Now accidents can cause the Spanish to consider retreat? I don't want to be unnecessarily rude to the Spanish, who have just suffered deaths, but the jihadis must be a little insulted to have such weak opponents in Madrid.
What won't cause some Spanish to get nervous and urge retreat?
