1st Edition
ETA and the “Basque Problem” The View from London (1968–93)
1. Introduction: ‘The one which makes the most noise, and is most in the news, is ETA’
2. Late Francoism (1968–75): ‘There has been nothing like this in Spain since the Civil War’
3. Transition (1976–82): ‘There are obviously no quick answers to the Basque problem’
4. PSOE Administration (c.1983–93): ‘Terrorism is the one issue that could still pose a threat to democracy’
5. Conclusion: ‘It is increasingly hard to see what the fight is about’
Biography
Niall Cullen is an Irish historian based in the Basque Country, Spain. He holds a PhD in Contemporary History from the University of the Basque Country and is the author of Radical Basque Nationalist–Irish Republican Relations: A History (2024).
"Niall Cullen has written an authoritative, thoroughly researched account of how UK officials and diplomats increasingly viewed the 'Basque problem' to be constituted by ETA terrorism. Ensuring a wider readership, his focus extends to the bigger picture of British perspectives on Spain’s political evolution, from Franco to democracy."
Richard Gillespie, University of Liverpool, UK (emeritus)
"This original and timely book sheds new light on how British diplomats interpreted the 'Basque problem.' Drawing on rich archival sources, it offers a compelling external perspective on ETA’s campaign of terrorism, enriching the historiography of radical Basque nationalism."
Diego Muro, University of St Andrews, UK
"This remarkable book is a significant contribution not only to the field of intelligence studies, but also to the history of counterterrorism in Spain, the UK, and elsewhere".
Leyre Santos, University of Oxford, UK. Intelligence and National Security (2026)
