Decoding the news. “An Italian Ally in Defence of the West” is the analysis title written by Kristen Ziccarelli for AFPI. It also captures the essence of Giorgia Meloni’s entire mandate: acting as a bridge between Europe and the United States, and more broadly between the West and the rest of the world — starting with the Mediterranean and Africa, and extending to India, as highlighted in the Italian Prime Minister’s recent speech at the United Nations.
The report. In August 2025, Ziccarelli travelled to Rome to meet with government officials, members of parliament, and analysts.
- Objective: to evaluate Meloni’s policies on immigration, demographics, culture, and foreign affairs.
- Conclusion: Italy is a reliable partner, though constrained by EU rules, regional fragmentation, and a politicised judiciary.
Immigration and security: Meloni is described as the most unmistakable European voice against illegal immigration.
- She has curbed flows through agreements with Tunisia and Libya, reducing both arrivals and deaths at sea.
- At the same time, she maintains a pragmatic stance on legal immigration: foreign workers are needed “to do the jobs Italians no longer want to do.”
Values and identity: Meloni is portrayed as a rare European leader for her defence of Christian identity.
- Pro-family and pro-life policies, a ban on surrogacy (including abroad), and the revival of civic education rooted in biblical, historical, and cultural traditions.
- For AFPI, this makes her exceptional: a Trump ally openly challenging the dominance of European secularism.
Trade and defence: Italy runs a trade surplus of nearly $40 billion with the U.S., which could become a target of future tariffs.
- On defence, after U.S. pressure, the government pledged to reach 5% of GDP in ten years.
- Meloni remains respected in Trump’s world for her ability to turn “bilateralist” language into an Italian version, branded “Italy First.”
Vatican and AI: The report highlights the Vatican’s role in shaping ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence.
- According to AFPI, Meloni serves as a strategic bridge to the Holy See and the new pope, when the West seeks to link technology with human dignity.
- AI is seen as a field where Christian values must be reaffirmed against purely utilitarian approaches.
Author’s note. Kristen Ziccarelli is the Director of Global Coalitions and Senior Immigration Analyst at AFPI. Her analysis of Rome reflects the institute’s mission: translating the Trump agenda into a foreign policy prioritising reliable, culturally aligned, and committed partners who will defend the “permanent things” of Western civilisation.
The big picture: For AFPI, Meloni is more than a national leader: she represents proof that an agenda combining “borders, culture, and faith” can remain popular, govern with stability, and provide the United States with a credible ally at the heart of Europe.
