Corriere della Sera reports that Italy denied US military aircraft bound for the Middle East permission to land at a base in Sicily. The move risks inflaming tensions with Washington, which has criticized European allies for not supporting its war with Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday the US may need to reassess its relationship with NATO after the war is over. The US flight plan was submitted without authorization or consultation with national authorities and was forwarded after US planes were already airborne, Corriere reported, without saying how it obtained the information. Italy’s military checks found the flights were not routine or for logistics purposes, hence outside existing bilateral agreements. The flights therefore required approval and parliamentary oversight, Corriere said. A representative for Italy’s defense minister wasn’t immediately available for comment.
angiki on
It’s plausible that the administration is purposefully trying to inflame tensions with allies specifically to drum up support domestically for leaving NATO, but I’m pretty sure it’s just garden-variety arrogance.
Alderwoodforest on
Of course, that won’t happen, but Italy could offer to allow the use of its bases in exchange for the lifting of tariffs.
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Corriere della Sera reports that Italy denied US military aircraft bound for the Middle East permission to land at a base in Sicily. The move risks inflaming tensions with Washington, which has criticized European allies for not supporting its war with Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday the US may need to reassess its relationship with NATO after the war is over. The US flight plan was submitted without authorization or consultation with national authorities and was forwarded after US planes were already airborne, Corriere reported, without saying how it obtained the information. Italy’s military checks found the flights were not routine or for logistics purposes, hence outside existing bilateral agreements. The flights therefore required approval and parliamentary oversight, Corriere said. A representative for Italy’s defense minister wasn’t immediately available for comment.
It’s plausible that the administration is purposefully trying to inflame tensions with allies specifically to drum up support domestically for leaving NATO, but I’m pretty sure it’s just garden-variety arrogance.
Of course, that won’t happen, but Italy could offer to allow the use of its bases in exchange for the lifting of tariffs.