That's an odd definition of fear, Nuno. The Spanish elections were a Sir Robin moment ("He bravely ran away, away!"). Once upon a time the Spanish waved red flags in front of bulls; now they're waving white flags in front of bullies. To say that they courageously chose that action is to say that they bravely chose to bleed after getting socked in the nose.
You give the game away in your own post when you point out that Spain stood by the USA after Sept. 11, despite not being a direct target. That was bravery. You are also unfortunately correct that the US didn't act to help its own allies until they were bombed. But note the different reactions to being thus attacked: rooting out scumbags and petty tyrants vs. sitting back and hoping that quiescence will hide one from further notice.
It doesn't work that way. Do something and you may get attacked by a crippled enemy, preoccupied with battles in his own backyard. Do nothing and you will not impede the enemy in any way; he will be free to act as he pleases, limited only by the resources that you are no longer trying to deny to him. To say so is not fear but knowledge. You don't need a Weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing.