Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Valbona Zeneli writes that Italy's exit from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a precedent-setting decision that other nations may follow. Plagued by loan defaults and failed infrastructure projects, countries are souring on the project that China said would boost recipient countries' export economy.

Zeneli writes that Italy's decision to leave the BRI is "not just a reflection of frustration over failed expectations and unmet promises, but is based on a real commitment to defending democratic values and human rights."

Read her full analyisis, “Italy’s ‘arrivederci’ to China’s BRI could be a template for others here: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/italys-arrivederci-to-chinas-bri-could-be-a-template-for-others/

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 12/18/23