Dr Rumena Filipova was interviewed by Bloomberg TV Bulgaria on the recent tensions in transatlantic relations following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s criticism of the US military campaign in Iran. In the interview she discussed:
- Spain as an example of a country that can undermine solidarity within NATO and Europe and establish itself as a conduit of Chinese influence. Other European countries such as Britain and Germany are also trying to develop closer economic ties with Beijing, despite acknowledging the growing risks emanating from China.
- Why only invoking “non-interference in internal affairs” and “upholding national sovereignty” as principles in international law ignores other developments in international legal reasoning and practice related to the “responsibility to protect” civilians from repressive governments.
- How Europe has demonstrated that it is not a unitary subject and that the formation of smaller formats and groups of countries with similar views will likely be a key accent in European politics.