Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone will be the new president of the NATO Military Committee, the organization that brings together the Chiefs of Defense of all Allied nations, directs the operations conducted by Allied forces (through Allied command operations), and develops their operational, logistical, and training doctrines (through Allied command transformation). Cavo Dragone takes over for Dutchman Rob Bauer. A government-backed appointment, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani formally announcing his candidacy in May. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto explains that the decision was made by an overwhelming majority "despite the continuing hostility of some Alliance countries, and that, in any case, attests to the exceptional profile of the Italian candidacy and the role of Italy in providing fundamental support to the Atlantic Alliance and in the international scenario."