The Seeds of a New Logic for Intelligence Cooperation: Spain in the European Union and NATO Intelligence

This chapter analyses cooperation in intelligence matters within the framework of NATO and the European Union from the Spanish point of view and its intelligence services. This analysis is premised on the assumption that Spain has made great strides in becoming fully incorporated into the structures of these organisations. They have evolved progressively and have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, mainly due to the technological revolution and the long fight against terrorism. At the same time, as we will see throughout the chapter, the return to territorial defence and the development of systemic challenges have considerably nuanced the idea of intelligence as the spearhead of national interest. Now, it is conditioned by increasing uncertainty and interdependence that imposes the idea of shared security. Therefore, the main objective is, taking Spain as an example, to see how intelligence services have adjusted procedures and improved shared capabilities to face the “new” situation looming over international society.