The international context is undergoing a phase of profound disruption, marked by the simultaneous opening of multiple crisis fronts and a growing fragmentation of the global order. In this scenario, American leadership continues to play a central role, although it is often perceived as unpredictable. However, U.S. decisions follow precise logics, shaped by strategic and economic interests, domestic dynamics, and specific visions.
The meeting aims to provide a framework for interpreting the decisions of Donald Trump’s leadership and understanding their implications for Europe and Italy. Alessandro Politi, Director of the NATO Defense College Foundation, will also examine the possible responses of European and Italian leadership, analysing the interests, constraints, and strategies of key political actors. Framing the decision-making logics that guide global leaders, together with the possible future scenarios, will enable participants to better orient their strategic choices in a context of high uncertainty.

In particular, the session will explore:

• the decision-making logics of American leadership: between domestic politics, security, and economic interests
• the role of the United States across major crisis theatres (the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America)
• the implications of U.S. decisions for European and Italian leadership: which strategies, and with what margins of autonomy