Titolo completo

Shifting Dynamics in Transatlantic Relations: Implications for Mediterranean Security

The 2025 US National Security Strategy (NSS) signals a major shift in global military posture, prioritising “American pre-eminence” in the Western hemisphere alongside deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. This realignment necessitates a significant reduction of US forces in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. While the Administration expects European allies to assume primary responsibility for continental defence by 2027, the US Congress has implemented legislative barriers to prevent precipitous withdrawals. In the Mediterranean and Middle East, the United States is transitioning toward a “burden-shifting” model, relying on enhanced naval cooperation among European powers and the growing expeditionary capabilities of regional actors like Türkiye. Ultimately, the strategy reflects a transactional approach to alliances, favouring bilateral security arrangements and increased regional self-reliance to facilitate the US pivot toward Western hemispheric and Pacific priorities.

Paper produced in the framework of the “Strategy Group on New (Dis)Orders in the Mediterranean”, a project jointly led by IAI and the School of Advanced International Studies.