Comments by "peabase" (@peabase) on "Spain: Police search for former separatist leader Puigdemont following speech | DW News" video.

What makes you think "the west" is diametrically opposed to separatism within? Czechia and Slovakia had an amicable divorce. If, or rather, when Belgium splits in two, it will be an anti-climax, after which everyone wonders why it didn't happen earlier. I'm sure there will be plenty of follow-up cases, too, without major drama.
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@MsBerlinski It can be argued that the EU is enabling separatism -- be it unwittingly. Europe's internal borders came about at a time when regions had to band together to stave off the unwelcome attentions of their more hostile neighbours. With the EU in the picture, that necessity is gone for all intents and purposes. Contrary to what you suggest, there's no agreed EU policy towards not recognising separatist regions. There is, however, a principle that domestic matters are just that, domestic. If -- or when -- Spain recognises Catalonia's independence, the EU will follow suit. Before that, the EU may prod Spain to wake up and smell the coffee, but the EU won't force Catalonian independence down Madrid's throat. Belgium's Flanders is a poor example of separatism. It was an artificial country from the get-go. It's high time to set right a historical wrong. But again, only the Belgians get to decide.
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@TienyeeTien You're taking liberties with historical facts. Czechoslovakia already existed as such before the 1948 Communist take-over. Present-day Belgium was given to the Netherlands in 1814, after Napoleon was sent packing to Elba. It wasn't to last, because the downtrodden southern provinces decided to seek their own fortune already in 1830. Practically only the Dutch king was upset.
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