From the Baltic states to the United Kingdom, governments across Europe are preparing citizens, infrastructure and institutions for a possible escalation with Russia. In Italy, the idea of “whole-of-society defence” remains politically taboo

The disasters faced by the Americans when dealing with toilets. And the aircraft carriers with broken toilets in Ukraine, from Vietnam to Afghanistan: the wars that were supposed to be short, the superpowers wearing themselves out, and biting off more than they can chew

MPs and senators will return from their summer recess on 9 September. The key issues when Parliament resumes will be the electoral law – with the issue of preferential votes – and the budget, with discontent even amongst some members of the ruling coalition over defence spending

In the resolution passed by Parliament, the centre-right parties ask the government whether it is correct to say that the Safe scheme is worthwhile. But the assessment has already been carried out: not by Brussels, but by the government itself

The PD, AVS and M5S have tabled a joint motion to be put to the vote during Minister Giorgetti’s statement on the budgetary deviation for defence and energy expenditure: the ‘no arms’ stance is adopted and the reformists protest. The majority, however, amends the text on the SAFE: funding military expenditure becomes a possibility and, should it be utilised, it is envisaged that it will also be used for ‘security’. The Chamber will vote only on the majority resolution

What does it mean to be a patriot today? What does it mean to recognise one’s enemies today? What does it mean to defend our country today? What does it mean to combat the patriotism of impostors? “A patriot is someone who defends their homeland, not someone who acts to make it more vulnerable to external threats.”

With nearly 15 billion in loans, this would save the public budget around 120 million euros in interest each year and help reduce the burden of military expenditure. How the EU’s scheme to boost defence investment works