A dangerous " Distraction " !

One of the first rules of politics is to create a crisis somewhere else to distract the voter's attention when you have problems on the home front.    Spain is battling desperately to remain afloat economically.  It has the worst unemployment figures in the Euro zone - and it's citizens are becoming increasingly angry

Back in 1982 a similar situation was developing in Argentina.   The Junta running that country created an unwise distraction when they invaded the British ruled Falkland Islands.    That was a miscalculation that resulted in war between the two countries - which cost billions in treasure and the loss of 699 Argentine lives and the death of 255 Britons.

Britain rules Gibraltar, at the mouth of the Mediterranean and this was won from Spain in a long past war.  This occupation does not sit well with the Spanish and there have been attempts in the world court to reclaim this lost territory - to no avail.    Now it seems that " muscle " is supplanting the legal approach.

Spain considers Gibraltar Spanish territory and the waters around it as part of Spain.   The British claim sovereignty in what they regard as home waters extending to the international acclaimed twelve mile limit.  This is now the scene of dangerous friction.

In recent days, Spanish police vessels have intruded into these waters and on one occasion chased and fired shots at a British water skier.   The number of these " intrusions " is increasing and there is a risk of armed  confrontation between each countries patrol boats.

The danger is that Spain may seize on the issue and provoke the media as a way of distracting the citizens from it's economic woes.   This is precisely the same situation that seems to be developing again in Argentina.  The " Falklands issue " is being fomented as a grievance that needs resolution.

Stoking the fires of " Nationalism " is a dangerous way of playing politics.  A similar scenario is under way between China and Japan - and several other countries - over tiny islands in the South China sea.

If push comes to shove, it is easy to miscalculate - and bring on a shooting war.
What happened in the Falklands in 1982 should be a sobering thought to all those considering using this political strategy !