Assessing the G-7 Summit

Giorgia Meloni was the star of the G7, embodying a “respectable” far-right. On Thursday, June 13, the Italian prime minister coldly welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the main losers of the recent EU parliamentary elections.

In contrast, she was much more cheerful with U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. She then warmly received the President of UAE, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Great Britain, and the far-right Argentine president Javier Milei, among other guests from Southern countries that the G7 is trying to court.

The June 9 European elections were decisive: in the Strasbourg Parliament, there will be more MEPs on the far-right benches. Nationalist formations have gained seats almost everywhere on the Old Continent.

Giorgia Meloni will likely play a leading role in European politics on critical issues such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, climate change, and energy. The European Right will handle these topics quite differently from their technocratic predecessors.

Despite ideological differences among G7 members, they have shown unity on key issues, such as supporting Ukraine and deciding to make about $50 billionfrom immobilized Russian assets available to Ukraine.

They also pledged support to a global agreement for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages, and a credible path to peace leading to a two-state solution. Finally, there is a commitment to African countries, emphasizing a fair and strategic partnership.

All this is promising, but will it withstand the doctrines on which the European Right and far-Right are built? It’s not so clear.

Meanwhile, Hamas has hardened its position on the ceasefire proposal. Violence has erupted on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, as the Iran-backed Hezbollah military group launched its largest attack on Israel since the early days of the war between Israel and Hamas.

Russian president Vladimir Putin, whose army has regained the initiative against Ukrainian forces lacking soldiers and ammunition, demanded that Kyiv renounce joining NATO and withdraw from and/or recognize Russia’s claim over Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea.

Meeting these conditions would constitute a de facto surrender of Ukraine, whose goal is to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty within internationally recognized borders.

For all these reasons, American leadership is necessary not only to transcend political divisions within the United States but also to address issues that represent a top priority for American national security.

It’s no longer about managing threats but defeating them. Firmness in war and negotiations must be key to U.S. policy.

A ceasefire in Gaza is necessary to save innocent lives trapped by Hamas and to free Israeli hostages. But is a ceasefire alone a solution? No.

This solution only postpones a problem that needs to be solved radically: the continued grip of Hamas on the territory must end. Hezbollah’s involvement is significant, as the group is the pivot of the Iranian proxies, including the Houthis in Yemen, Shia militias in Iraq and Syria, Islamic Jihad, and Hamas in the Palestinian territories, all of whom threaten the stability of the entire region and American interests.

The status quo and lack of firmness from the United States on the future of the region would be disastrous not only for Israel but for the entire region.

The White House must articulate a vision that prevents Hamas from returning to power, demanding new leadership from the Palestinian Authority to ensure the orderly administration of education, healthcare, and other public services under the control of the United States and its European and Arab allies.

Israel’s northern border with Lebanon must be secured. Stronger sanctions must be imposed on Hezbollah, forcing it to withdraw from the Israeli border and creating a buffer zone within Lebanon.

The same goes for the Rafah crossing in Gaza, where Egypt could play an important role in exchange for greater financial support.

The United States must define a pragmatic yet firm strategy against the Iranian regime, the main sponsor of Hamas. Israel cannot tackle this monster alone. The international community must assume its responsibilities.

The Palestinian youth, trapped by unfortunate circumstances they did not choose, want to live in peace and dignity. This means schools, hospitals, jobs, fair elections, and the freedom to build their own future and pursue their own dreams.

The United States and its allies must provide realistic and necessary answers to save what remains of this youth from the path of extremism and nihilism.

 This is the only path that will lead to peace and prosperity in the Middle East.

 Winston Churchill said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.”

The United States has defined history during the most difficult moments in human history, and it must continue to do so with courage. This is crucial for the future of the entire world.