Overview

• U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker told Bloomberg he opposes “creative accounting” by allies and is closely tracking Italy’s approach.
• Rome has examined booking more than €13 billion for the Strait of Messina bridge under the target’s 1.5% security component rather than core defense.
• An Italian Defence Ministry note and a report to Brussels contend a fixed crossing would shorten deployability times and facilitate logistics for NATO operations.
• Ministers have also discussed including Genoa’s new breakwater, promoting both works as dual‑use infrastructure with military relevance.
• Whitaker stressed the 5% aim should cover defense and related spending with transparent reporting, echoing Washington’s push for credible burden‑sharing after Trump’s call for the higher target.