Catalonia and Spain reach a crossroads

Many foreign observers have misread the impasse between Catalan secessionists and the Spanish government.

Many foreign observers have misread the impasse between Catalan secessionists and the Spanish government.

The general view from abroad seems to be that the Catalan independence movement is democratic and peaceful, and that Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy could resolve the issue simply by calling for a referendum, or by granting greater fiscal autonomy to Catalonia.