Meloni criticizes Trump: Friendship requires respect and appreciation for Afghanistan's sacrifices
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "deep astonishment" on Saturday at recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, in which he downplayed the vital role played by NATO forces during the war in Afghanistan. Meloni's response was firm in an official statement, emphasizing that strong relations between nations do not mean ignoring historical facts or diminishing shared sacrifices.
In her statement, Meloni said, "The Italian government was appalled by President Trump's assertion that NATO countries had fallen behind in operations in Afghanistan." She added, in a diplomatic but firm tone, "Italy and the United States share a strong friendship, but friendship requires respect, which is essential for maintaining the solidarity that is the foundation of NATO.".
A history of Italian sacrifices in Afghanistan
To understand the context of Italian anger, it is necessary to return to the documented facts about Italy's involvement in Afghanistan. Italy was one of the largest contributors to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and its successor, the Resolute Support Mission. For many years, Italian forces commanded the western region of Afghanistan, based in Herat, operating in a highly complex and dangerous security environment.
Official records indicate that Italy paid a heavy price for its commitment to the coalition; 53 Italian soldiers lost their lives during the two-decade-long mission, in addition to more than 700 others sustaining injuries of varying severity. These figures make statements that downplay this role a highly sensitive issue for Italian public opinion and the military establishment in Rome.
Strategic dimensions and political implications
This incident takes on particular significance given the current political context. Georgia Meloni, who belongs to the right wing, was seen by observers as a potential natural ally of Trump in Europe. However, her strong response demonstrates that national interests and the dignity of the military institution transcend ideological alignments.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that NATO's intervention in Afghanistan was the first and only time in its history that Article 5 of the Alliance's treaty was invoked, in defense of the United States following the September 11 attacks. Therefore, questioning the allies' contribution strikes at the heart of the transatlantic defense doctrine and could cast a shadow over future military cooperation on other pressing international issues, such as the Ukrainian crisis and escalating global geopolitical tensions.
