Russia Tops Spain’s Security Threat List, Surpassing Morocco and Terrorism

According to the study, 34% of respondents consider Russia to be the greatest threat to Spain’s security. 20% of respondents believe that Morocco is the second biggest threat to Spain, ahead of jihadist terrorism, which is considered a threat by 14%, while 54% of people perceived it as the main threat to Spain last November.

To read: Spain’s Military Sales to Morocco Raise National Security Concerns

This change in perception towards Russia seems to be justified by the deployment of more than 100,000 Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine and the threat of a new invasion of this country, explains the lead researcher and author of the report, Carmen González Enríquez, adding that 52% of the people consulted believe that Spanish military intervention would not be necessary in the event of a conflict between these two countries, while 48% think it should intervene jointly with NATO.

To read: Poll: Most Spaniards View Morocco as Threat to Ceuta and Melilla Sovereignty

54% of men are in favor of a possible intervention, while 58% of women prefer Spain not to intervene. By age group, the youngest advise against armed intervention. From an ideological point of view, 59% of left-wing voters opt for non-intervention, while 54% of right-wing voters opt for the opposite.

In general in Spain, there is "a weaker perception of the international threat" than in other countries, notes Gonzales, who notes, in light of this report, that there is "a fear that did not exist before". Furthermore, 75% of respondents believe that membership in NATO has provided more security to Spain, compared to 25% who believe that it does not benefit enough from its status as a member of the Alliance.