Only 16 per cent of Italians would be willing to fight for their country, a survey shows. The Centre for Social Investment Studies (CENSIS) found that almost a third of Italians believe the country will be directly involved in a war within five years, but fewer than one in six of those of fighting age would be willing to take up arms.

Almost a third of Italians believe the country will be directly involved in a war within five years, but only 16% of those of fighting age would be willing to take up arms, a survey showed on Friday.

A portion of the alliance's defense spending requirements are likely to spur some creative accounting among member nations.

Rome and Athens have identified Turkish and Russian involvement in a growing security threat from North Africa.

European NATO members have projected naval power into the Indo-Pacific through aircraft carrier deployments in recent years, as China—a European Union trading partner and U.S. rival—undergoes a military buildup, challenging Washington and its allies.

France and Italy opt out of a US-led arms initiative for Ukraine, prioritizing European defense self-sufficiency amid budget constraints.

As Russia intensifies its assault on Ukraine, NATO and European countries need to increase production of long-range weapons, U.S. Maj. Gen. John Rafferty told Reuters. “The Russian army is