Rome contests NATO's legitimacy

Getting Real About NATO: Italian Defense Minister Questions Alliance's Relevance

Padua, Italy - The NATO summit on the horizon, and our beloved Italia, a founding member of the alliance, is starting to sense a shift in its relevance. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto tossed some harsh words at NATO, declaring, "NATO no longer has a reason to exist."

Times change, right? Crosetto ain't kiddin'. "The USA and the EU are no longer the powerhouses of the world," he said. "NATO needs to adapt to these changing times and work hand-in-hand with the global south to keep the peace and mutual defense deal goin'."

Italy, one of the original 12 countries, has been a NATO member since its inception in 1949. Next week, NATO’s 32 members will gather in The Hague, with the eccentric US President Donald Trump in the house. Crosetto, along with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is a member of the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), often known as a Trump-friendly ally.

EU, Too, Feels the Heat

At the University of Padua, Crosetto didn't just serve up criticism for NATO; he took a swipe at the EU, too.

"We keep on talkin' like we're still livin' in the 80s," he said. "But yeah, things ain't the same no more. We keep callin' Europe the center of the world – that train left the station a long time ago, if it even stopped by Europe at all."

"If the EU had given itself a political role or an external policy, or some defense," Crosetto continued, "perhaps it could've mattered. But baby, its time has passed."

Meloni whipped into the hot seat in Rome back in 2022 with a heap of criticism for the EU. Despite that, she's proven to be a reliable partner, notably backing Ukraine policy. Meloni heads a coalition of three right-wing and conservative parties.

[1] Padua, Italy questions NATO's relevance ahead of summit[2] Guido Crosetto: NATO no longer has a reason to exist[3] US President Donald Trump to attend NATO summit in The Hague[4] Global South partnership back on the table[5] Italy’s new government pledges to increase defense spending to meet NATO targets[6] Meloni – a reliable partner for NATO and Ukraine policy[7] Fratelli d’Italia and the coalition[8] NATO – evolving in the face of new global complexities[9] Time for a strategic overhaul to remain relevant in the evolving international landscape

In the lead-up to the NATO summit, Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto suggested that the alliance's policies and legislation need a reevaluation, as he expressed doubts about NATO's relevance in the changing political landscape.
Furthermore, Crosetto voiced his concern about the EU, stating that its general news and politics need to evolve, considering Europe is no longer the powerhouse of the world. He suggested that the EU must adopt a more active political role, external policy, or defense strategy if it wants to remain significant.