Italy Is Becoming More Important To U.S. Security. Here Are Five Reasons Why. (From Forbes)

Despite being a major military power, Italy has never quite attained the status in Washington enjoyed by other big NATO members like Britain, France and Germany. But that is about to change, partly because those other allies are becoming less useful as regional bulwarks against Russian aggression, and partly because of Italy’s intrinsic appeal. The country’s intrinsic appeal includes a strategic location in the Mediterranean, a foreign policy complementary to Washington’s, a forward-looking military investment plan, and emotional ties arising out of shared values. With one of the world’s most advanced economies and outsized cultural influence, Italy looks poised to ascend to the first tier of U.S. partners, comparable to Australia or Israel. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.