Italy’s defence minister questions NATO’s relevance in today’s world

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has publicly questioned the ongoing relevance of NATO in the current global landscape, suggesting that the alliance must undergo a fundamental transformation to remain effective.

Speaking at a public event in the northern Italian city of Padua, Crosetto argued that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation no longer reflects the geopolitical realities of the 21st century, Caliber.Az reports, citing Italian newspaper.

“NATO no longer corresponds to today’s realities. If the epicenter of international politics was once the Atlantic, it now spans the entire globe,” Crosetto stated.

The minister pointed out that while the US and Europe historically formed the backbone of the international system, the shifting global balance of power now demands a broader, more inclusive approach to foreign policy and security cooperation.

Crosetto emphasised that NATO’s mission of promoting peace and ensuring collective defence can no longer be achieved through its traditional framework.

“The Alliance doesn’t just need an update—it needs a fundamental transformation,” he said.

Central to that transformation, Crosetto suggested, is the need for NATO to establish meaningful dialogue with the Global South and adapt to the complexities of a multipolar world.

By Naila Huseynova