Italy takes on the US challenge

The Italian government has decided to comply with the US's demand that it send more soldiers to Afghanistan. In the eyes of liberal conservative daily Corriere della Sera it will take on a pioneering role along with the UK and Spain: "The Italy that doesn't hesitate to say 'yes' to [US President] Barack Obama obviously intends to strengthen its friendship with the US. But above all, and this is the true strategic dimension: the Italy that says 'yes' has decided to take on Barack Obama's challenge. A bold enterprise, and according to some a risky one. ... This is a challenge, but at this point Obama had no other course of action open to him. And Italy too, to the extent that it is making its contribution, didn't want to act any differently. It didn't want to wait, didn't want to deliberate and didn't want to withdraw. The message is clear and positive: allies move together, whether it's backwards or forwards."

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