Inside Italy

The same old untouchables

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:48:55 +0000

"The new untouchables", Thomas Friedman's editorial on the New York Times is a perfect example of how the same word "financial crisis" can have two very different meanings. In the Us, they are already thinking about what have caused the economic downturn and how to address the issue, while in Italy, we are still stuck in the middle of the quagmire. The new untouchables in in the Us are the young workers who can invent new ways of making money, in Italy creative young people tend to live the country as soon as possible.

Europe's angst over Afghanistan

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:51:54 +0000

Jackson Diehl

In conversations with senior European officials visiting Washington, and at a transatlantic conference sponsored by Italy's Magna Carta Foundation last weekend, I heard an earful of Euro-anxiety about the strategy review Obama is conducting... Tratto da The Washington Post

The Bomber Next Door: Who Is Behind Him?

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:30:58 +0000

Andrea Holzer

Mohammed Game, the Libyan alleged “lone wolf” suicide bomber who attempted to blow himself up at the military barracks in Milan on October the 12th, is now in a coma and cannot be questioned by the Italian authorities. In the meantime, his two partners were arrested.

Italy in Afghanistan. The need to support its troops

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:00:29 +0000

Marco Vicenzino

Just as tragic as the recent deaths of Italian soldiers in Kabul at the hands of a suicide bomber, was the reaction by many in Italy’s political and media establishment who immediately began calling for the withdrawal of Italian troops. Unwittingly, they only embolden the determination and radical agenda of the insurgents who seek to remove the international presence in Afghanistan and restore their tyranny and oppression which lasted from 1996 to 2001.

Losing the "War We Cannot Afford to Lose"

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:36:32 +0000

Andrea Holzer

What the Italians are really doing is fighting a tough war against tough enemies and their “splitting the troops strategy” is not only brave, but is also paying off. And this strategy is risky. It goes without saying that if there were more troops on the ground everything could be easier. The insurgents would have to plan their attacks more carefully and their suicide bombing missions. That would take them more time and time is everything in this war.

Let the Whispers grow louder, Mr. Dinmore: Berlusconi is still there.

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:11:39 +0000

Andrea Holzer

We Italians woke up today expecting a revolution like the one in Iran. It did not happen. In a way, the assumptions of some newspaper articles are intelligent and, indeed, a certain concern about Berlusconi’s boat in these troubled waters exists. Luckily enough, though, the situation is not so desperate.

The European Elections: a big defeat for politics and politicians

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:29:30 +0000

Andrea Holzer

History is repeating itself: during the year of the global economic crisis, the left is sinking almost everywhere in Europe. The Labors parties in Great Britain have suffered the biggest defeat since 1918. Even in Germany the SPD lost badly scoring 20.8%, a new negative record. In France, Sarkozy’s coalition overwhelmed the socialists (28% against 16.48%), even though the great winner here is the Green Party (16.28%). In Italy (the biggest turnout here) Silvio Berlusconi’s Freedom Party got 34.9 % with the Democratic Party being stuck at 25%. It is a victory, yes, but the expectations were higher.

Italy’s hard line on illegal immigration

Wed, 20 May 2009 10:44:28 +0000

Andrea Holzer

During a press conference in Matera on May the 18th, the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Gianfranco Fini, spoke about the difficult situation with immigrants in Italy and reiterated a well known concept according to which every immigrant should respect our constitution and laws.

The G8 in L'Aquila, will save 220 millions and keep the no-globals away

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:47:27 +0000

Andrea Holzer

The next G8 summit is likely to be hosted in L’Aquila - the Italian medieval town hit by the earthquake less than a month ago – as Ignazio La Russa (Defense Minister) announced today, at the end of a Ministry Council meeting .

The aid were prompt and effective after the earthquake: bravo to our government

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:43:49 +0000

Andrea Holzer

Just half an hour after the first and most powerful quake, the Vigili del Fuoco (Firefighters) were already on the spot in L’Aquila. From then on, both the Italian government and the citizens started to work together for the people of Abruzzo.