Spanish foreign policy in the Balkans dates back almost exclusively to the 1990s with the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, and its participation in the region has been guided by its interest in maintaining peace and stability there.

Spain has never had a particularly strong interest in Eastern Europe. In recent years Spain has rushed to engage with Russia, due to Moscow’s importance for European security.

The PSOE government has adopted one of the most progressive immigration policies of all EU member states, and this has had a positive impact on its foreign policy.

This book explores the widespread contention that new challenges and obstacles have arisen to democratization. Is the surge of democratization now dying down, or should we be careful not to exaggerate the importance of recent setbacks?

 In recent years many analysts have focused their attention on an apparent ‘backlash’ against democracy and democracy promotion. FRIDE and CEPS have previously cooperated on exploring the general nature of this ‘backlash’. In this volume we turn to a more specific European neighbourhood focus, and explore the general issues relating to democracy’s travails in more detail in the countries to the south and east of the European Union. The underlying question is whether, in an era of democratic pessimism, the European neighbourhood can offer any more optimistic conclusions.

AFP/Getty Images

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez is planning to tighten restrictions on foreign aid. The international community should react and begin to address the country's slide into authoritarianism more seriously.