Thousands of Italians, Spaniards Protest Against NATO War Games in Europe

Activists demonstrated against the NATO’s "2015 Trident Juncture" military exercise in particular.

In the Italian city of Naples, the protesters carried signs demanding the dissolution of NATO. In the Spanish capital of Madrid, NATO opponents marched carrying anti-war posters and shouting "No to NATO, bases out", "imperialism is terrorism" and "Yankees go home".

NATO’s war games, which are currently being conducted in 28 military bases in Portugal, Spain and Italy, as well as in the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, has experienced strong resistance among peace activists. A total of 36,000 soldiers from over 40 countries are reported to take part in the training.

Many Europeans are criticizing the expansion of the transatlantic military alliance and its attempts to incorporate an increasing number of Eastern European countries into its sphere of influence. The criticism also concerns deliberate and provocative confrontation with Russia as well as NATO’s constant military involvement in crises in North Africa and the Middle East.

The newspaper wrote that Europeans should ask themselves whether supporting US geopolitical goals is in their own interest. The author argued that the EU’s policy towards the US-led military alliance should be rethought, taking into account the growing influx of refugees, partly caused by NATO’s military interventions.