Javier Milei at the G7 Summit
As Javier Milei participates in the G7 summit of leaders taking place in Italy, a US media outlet highlighted the direction of the foreign policy that the Argentine president has taken since coming to power and stated that, with the measures adopted in recent months, the country could become a key regional security ally in the Western Hemisphere. The article was published by The National Interest, a US magazine specializing in international relations, which emphasized that Argentina is shifting towards a pro-US and pro-NATO direction in international affairs.
The article titled “Choosing Sides: Argentina’s New Chapter with NATO” celebrates some of the actions taken by the libertarian president in recent times. It also briefly reviews the country’s relationship with the organization throughout previous administrations. The decision to purchase F-16 aircraft from Denmark, the request to join NATO as a “global partner,” and the pressure exerted on the Chinese-managed space station in Neuquén province were some of the actions carried out by Milei that were positively highlighted in the article. They noted that these actions improve Argentina’s status as a reliable partner within the Western alliance for economic and security reasons.
While Buenos Aires’ international security commitments with the US and NATO have fluctuated over the past two decades due to political changes between center-left and center-right governments, the recent years have shown a gradual inclination towards engagement with Washington amid a flourishing competition among major powers and Buenos Aires’ need for financial support from the Biden administration.
The article also compared the current situation with that of the country since Javier Milei took office: “Compared to the previous government, the current administration is fully embracing the rules-based international order in which US leadership is undeniable. Yet, this strategy allows Argentina to join a group of like-minded middle powers that are poised to reshape Argentina’s international image and regional politics in the foreseeable future,” they pointed out.
For The National Interest, Javier Milei is marking a new chapter in Argentina’s commitment to NATO, highlighted by his ambitious request to join as a Global Partner. Becoming a Global Partner of NATO, like Colombia, is an official NATO status (unlike the non-NATO major ally, which confers benefits only to the US) and will allow Argentina to participate in a wide range of NATO activities in critical areas such as cyber defense, counterterrorism, and non-proliferation, as well as potentially join NATO military operations if the Argentine Armed Forces regain their full operational capabilities.
In conclusion, the article stated: “In a well-worn refrain, Latin American countries often express their desire to avoid ‘having to choose sides’ in a competition between the US and China. However, by becoming a Global Partner of NATO, Argentina would signal its firm desire to pick its team in a turbulent global context.”