‘Allies, not vassals’: how Meloni’s break with Trump became a political moment for Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is dealing with the fallout from a public rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump this week over the pope, Iran and a defense deal with Israel. This is a rift that has developed since the outbreak of war between the United States and Israel against Iran and which could ultimately serve its political interests in the run-up to the 2027 legislative elections.