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NATO Names Former Italian Defense Chief as Military Committee Chair

NATO Names Former Italian Defense Chief as Military Committee Chair

Italian Navy Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone assumed the role of chair of the NATO Military Committee in a ceremony held on Friday, succeeding Royal Netherlands Navy Adm. Rob Bauer.

The appointment elevates Cavo Dragone to a senior military position, where he will serve as a spokesperson for the alliance’s military matters. He will also act as an adviser to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and will facilitate communication between defense chiefs and various agencies within the organization.

Cavo Dragone brings a wealth of military experience to his new role, having held several leadership positions in the Italian armed forces, including commander of the Italian Joint Operations Headquarters, chief of the Italian Navy and the Italian chief of defense. He holds master’s degrees in naval and maritime sciences as well as political sciences.

During the ceremony, Rutte thanked Bauer for his years of service. “It is no exaggeration to say that you have played a key role in this transformation. Helping NATO refocus on its core business of collective defense and preparing our alliance for this new era of heightened confrontation,” the NATO leader said.

Cavo Dragone is taking over a NATO Military Committee that prioritizes international collaborations. One of the initiatives launched under Bauer’s leadership is enhancing relations with partners and allies to promote peace and stability in various regions.

In September, Bauer emphasized the alliance’s need to improve its military coordination with Indo-Pacific partners, including Japan, South Korea and Australia, to counter rising threats from China and Russia.

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