The Italian government learned with surprise of President Trump’s statements claiming that NATO allies had “lagged behind” during operations in Afghanistan.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first and only time in its history – an extraordinary act of solidarity toward the United States.
In that major operation against those who fueled terrorism, Italy responded immediately alongside its allies, deploying thousands of service members and assuming full responsibility for Regional Command West, one of the most strategically significant areas of the entire international mission.
Over nearly twenty years of engagement, our nation paid a cost that cannot be questioned: 53 Italian soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded while engaged in combat operations, security missions, and training programs for Afghan forces.
For this reason, statements that downplay the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an allied nation.
Italy and the United States are bound by a strong friendship, grounded in shared values and a long history of cooperation – all the more necessary in the face of today’s many challenges. But friendship requires respect, a fundamental condition for continuing to ensure the solidarity at the heart of the Atlantic Alliance.
