Soberanía estratégica en el Flanco Sur: El eje Canarias-Estrecho-Baleares frente a la convergencia de amenazas híbridas

LEGAL REVIEW

Almansa Jiménez, Fernando. “Soberanía estratégica en el Flanco Sur: el eje Canarias-Estrecho-Baleares frente a la convergencia de amenazas híbridas.” Boletín CODESEL, vol. 2, no. 8, April 2026, ISSN-e: 3045-7750.

The article “Strategic Sovereignty in the Southern Flank: The Canary Islands–Strait–Balearic Axis in the Face of Hybrid Threat Convergence” offers a sophisticated and strategically nuanced analysis of Spain’s maritime security environment within the broader framework of European and global geopolitics. Positioned at the intersection of International Law, security studies, and maritime strategy, the study advances a compelling argument for the reconceptualization of Spain’s southern maritime domain as the central محور (axis) of its national security architecture.

From the outset, the author situates Spain within its inherent maritime condition, emphasizing that national prosperity and security are inseparable from control and stability at sea. This foundational premise is developed through a detailed examination of the Maghreb-Sahel continuum, identified as a critical zone of instability and geopolitical competition. The analysis of Moroccan logistical ascendancy—illustrated by the prominence of the Tangier Med port—and Algerian military assertiveness reflects a balanced understanding of regional power dynamics. At the same time, the destabilization of the Sahel, driven by jihadist expansion and institutional fragility, is convincingly framed as a direct security challenge to the European Union’s southern border.

One of the article’s most original contributions lies in its treatment of “shadow fleets” as a paradigmatic hybrid threat. The author effectively demonstrates how these vessels operate within a legal and regulatory grey zone, exploiting flag-hopping practices and weak maritime governance frameworks. As highlighted in the diagram on page 2, these fleets are not only instruments of sanctions evasion but also vectors of organized crime and environmental risk. The reference to potential catastrophic incidents akin to the Prestige disaster underscores the intersection between maritime security, environmental protection, and economic resilience, thereby broadening the scope of traditional security analysis.

The discussion of submarine infrastructure represents another key strength of the article. By identifying Spain as a global hub for submarine cable connectivity, the author highlights both strategic advantage and vulnerability. The analysis is particularly timely in light of recent incidents affecting critical infrastructure, such as the Nord Stream sabotage, which signal a shift towards the targeting of undersea assets. The complex network of connections linking mainland Spain with the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and North African partners is correctly identified as a critical dependency requiring enhanced protection under both national security frameworks and international law.

From a legal perspective, the article engages indirectly but meaningfully with the Law of the Sea, particularly in relation to Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and the exploitation of strategic resources. The dispute over the Monte Tropic seamount, rich in critical minerals, illustrates the growing importance of seabed resources in geopolitical competition. While the legal dimension is not developed in a doctrinally exhaustive manner, the reference to EEZ delimitation and its linkage to the unresolved status of Western Sahara provides a solid basis for further legal inquiry.

The strategic analysis section introduces a particularly valuable critique of Spain’s historical “continental bias” in defense policy. By identifying the imbalance in resource allocation between land and naval forces, the author exposes a structural weakness that undermines effective maritime sovereignty. The call to transition from “passive monitoring” to “active sovereignty” constitutes a central normative recommendation of the article. This shift implies not only enhanced naval capabilities but also leadership in international regulatory reforms, particularly in linking maritime registries to financial transparency standards such as those promoted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The visual representation on page 2, depicting the Canary Islands–Strait–Balearic axis as a strategic center of gravity, effectively synthesizes the article’s core argument. It illustrates the convergence of global trade routes, hybrid threats from the Sahel, shadow fleet activities, and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, thereby reinforcing the need for an integrated maritime strategy.

This article constitutes a highly valuable contribution to the study of maritime security and strategic sovereignty in the European southern flank. By integrating geopolitical analysis, hybrid threat assessment, and policy-oriented recommendations, it provides a compelling framework for rethinking Spain’s maritime posture in an increasingly contested and complex environment. Its emphasis on the centrality of the Canary Islands–Strait–Balearic axis as a strategic core is both analytically sound and operationally relevant, making it an essential reference for scholars and practitioners alike.