With systematic pushbacks and help from the Spanish military, the aspiring migrants were repelled and normality eventually returned to Ceuta. Was anybody doing the bidding of Israel and the US, both of whom have been holding serious grudges against Spain? Let’s not also forget that Spain has been the only holdout regarding the NATO allies’ decision to increase defense spending to 5 per cent of GDP. Don’t forget also the mega wildfires that have been raging throughout Spain for days, already straining the country’s resources and political balances. Under the circumstances, perhaps the most unexpected blow to Spain was that dealt by its very own partners in the European Union.