A possible essay plan on the role of NATO

Introduction: Start with a reference to one or two recent developments relating to the question to show you are up to date on the issue e.g. the next NATO summit or NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe. For example

https://www.france24.com/en/20191107-macron-claims-nato-is-suffering-brain-death

or the last summit

Line of argument: This essay will argue that in an increasingly volatile world, with the re-emergence of Russia as an important but authoritarian, international actor and neighbor, NATO, working closely with the European Defence Agency, will remain fundamental to the security of the EU and Italy as regards threats and challenges to the East and South (the Mediterranean). Europe needs to work to resist the dangers of any American isolationist tendencies towards disengagement, while working towards a modus vivendi with Russia https://carnegie.ru/commentary/75283

to reduce tensions and the dangers of misunderstandings.

Explain the origin and historic purpose of NATO, what happened after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of Communism and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union. What were the expectations? What new tasks did NATO set itself?

What resources does it have? Was it successful? What happened in Russia? What was the Russian view and response to NATO and EU expansion. Events in Transnistria, Georgia and Ukraine. The sanctions imposed by the EU and US (and by many NATO and non-NATO but allied countries).The difficulty of resolving this and other questions and moving forward. The NATO missile defence and later ballistic missile defence system. The US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. NATO's Advanced Forward Presence policy, and the role of the Italian contingent.

Italy and NATO, NATO forces and bases in Italy and threats to Europe from the South. The recent developments at the European Defence Agency. Why is this necessary? Mogherini on understanding the NATO-EDA relationship and plans to enhance cooperation.

Conclusion – In a world with growing signs of instability, NATO remains vital to Europe as an ultimate guarantor of security, its traditional role to which it has returned after Russia's turn towards authoritarianism and the events in Ukraine. At the same time, however, NATO will have to continue to adapt to non-traditional, asymmetric threats. Europe will need to ensure that the EDA works closely with NATO whenever and wherever possible, while developing its capabilities to act alone if and when necessary. The EU will also need to work diplomatically to keep the current US administration committed to a NATO's collective approach to security. A reference to some recent NATO- Italian event or statement?