Morocco-Spain Relations — strained…. But I like Morocco!
Chuck Holton and I were in Morocco a couple weeks ago looking at the weaponization of migrants, or at least using migration as a negotiation bludgeon.
I came away with positive impression of Morocco. I had never been to Morocco before but would readily go back on a vacation — If I ever have time for a vacation.
Very safe, very friendly. I like Moroccans and have for years whenever I meet them. Morocco is the first country to recognize the United States — 1777. We were still at war with Britain when Morocco threw in with us. And been with us ever since even when we were not at all powerful.
We never had a war with Morocco. Similar with Thailand. Thailand came aboard in 1833 — again, long before we had any muscle, and we have had great relations ever since with Morocco and Thailand. (Well, our relations with Ambassador Kristie Kenney — and our government at that time — intervening in Thai internal affairs — was a bit difficult, but Thai leadership handled it deftly and so most Americans never noticed, but Thais did…)
Japan…one of our closest allies now, and I would argue our most important strategic ally…most Americans do not seem to realize that Japan opened up by home invasion in 1854 when we sent the Navy like the big bad wolf. Japan was just out there being Japan — like Bhutan of the Pacific — ‘just leave us alone and we will be fine’. But then various imperial powers kept knocking and finally banging on the Japan-door and threatening to blow it down.
Japan realized the only way to survive was to join the Club of the Imperials. Japanese did not want to be overrun by outsiders.
And Japan better ‘build that wall’ now. Conditions are being set for the time when there will be powerful demands for Japan to open its doors to any and all. Don’t do it.
As for Morocco— I greatly want to go back and take a grand tour. If you are wondering where to go on a post-CCP pandemic vacation, I’d suggest places like Morocco, Thailand, Japan. Or Florida!
https://apnews.com/article/europe-africa-health-migration-coronavirus-pandemic-a4a656a03b68145de7ab63b33c672448