Image Credentials: Image Title: NATO Must Evolve to Reflect Shifting Global Power, Says Italian Defense Minister Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: June 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
Rome, June 21, 2025 — NATO faces a pivotal moment in its history as the alliance must adapt to a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto declared on Friday. Speaking to the ANSA news agency, Crosetto emphasized the need for NATO to expand its dialogue beyond traditional Western partners and engage the Global South to maintain peace and security.
“If NATO was born to guarantee peace and mutual defense, either it becomes an organization that takes on this task by talking to the Global South or we will not reach the goal of having security within rules that apply to everyone,” Crosetto stated.
Highlighting a fundamental shift in global power dynamics, Crosetto asserted, “The US and the EU are no longer the center of the world,” underscoring the rise of emerging powers and the importance of broader cooperation in international security.
Crosetto also addressed recent tensions in the Middle East, particularly about the ongoing escalation between Iran and Israel. Responding to questions about the possible use of U.S. military bases on Italian soil if Washington chooses to intervene in the conflict, Crosetto clarified that no formal requests have been made by the United States.
“It is useless to talk about something that does not exist, but every time (Italian) Parliament asks us to go and report, we go, it is an obligation,” he said, affirming Italy’s transparency and parliamentary oversight regarding military cooperation.
The renewed hostilities erupted last Friday when Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting multiple locations across Iran, including key military and nuclear sites. Iran responded with retaliatory missile attacks against Israel.
According to Iranian reports, the death toll from the missile attacks has climbed to at least 639, with over 1,300 injured. Israeli authorities reported that at least 25 people have died and hundreds more have been wounded in Iran’s strikes.
The ongoing conflict has raised concerns across NATO member states and the broader international community, emphasizing the complex security challenges facing the alliance amid a multipolar world order.
As the global center of gravity shifts, Italy’s defense chief is urging NATO to rethink its strategies and embrace a more inclusive approach to security — one that involves emerging powers and the Global South — to uphold peace and stability in an increasingly interconnected world.
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