fundamental differencesTajani sees a Russian threat to the elections in Europe, whilst Salvini sees anti-Russian anxiety on the part of “certain chancelleries”Moscow may attempt to influence the elections, says the Foreign Secretary. His counterpart at the Home Office plays down the matter and accuses certain European countries of seeking “pretexts” to fuel the warbyRedazione2 SEP 26
“We will not tolerate this”Following Germany’s accusation against Moscow over the Leipzig drone, von der Leyen finally uses the term ‘attack on Europe’The Commission President receives Rutte at the Berlaymont and describes the incident in Leipzig as an attack using military equipment carried out by a Russian operation on European soil: this marks a shift in terminology from the usual language regarding ‘hybrid incidents’byRedazione2 SEP 26
Primary elections in FranceA cry is rising from the French left: everyone except GlucksmannIn France, the rebuilding of the centre-left hinges on the primaries, which, however, risk further fracturing an already fragile camp. Three parties are called upon to choose a joint candidate for the 2027 presidential election byMauro Zanon2 SEP 26
air-raid sirenUkraine, the occupied territories and Russia: the first day of school against a backdrop of war in three shadesKyiv begins the new school year under bombardment, whilst Moscow is writing a book to train future soldiers in the classroom – a book to be taken along during the invasionbyMicol Flammini2 SEP 26
editorialsRelations between Russia and North Korea are not going wellA mural dedicated to friendship with Pyongyang is causing great irritation amongst the residents of Vladivostok. The alliance over Ukraine is not enough to warrant dedicating one of the city’s most sacred sites to Kim.byRedazione2 SEP 26
Nameless pogrom“The massacre of Jews in Bondi is not anti-Semitism,” assures the multi-award-winning writer FlanaganAccording to the Booker Prize winner, the blame for the attack in Australia, in which sixteen Jews died, lies with “the Israeli lobby’s politicisation of the massacre”.byGiulio Meotti2 SEP 26
the editor’s editorialThe shameful acts of the collective pacifistIt criticises the EU for defending itself whilst turning a blind eye to the bombs falling on Ukraine, for not caring if Putin increases military spending whilst encroaching on Leipzig, and for failing to express outrage when Hamas refuses to disarm. The so-called friends of peace. A cataloguebyClaudio Cerasa2 SEP 26
required contacts“The PD is not a monolith when it comes to China”. Malpezzi speaks outDoes the Democratic Party’s absence from the mission to Taiwan risk creating a one-sided narrative within the opposition? According to the senator, dialogue with Beijing ‘does not preclude’ dialogue with TaipeibyGiulia Pompili2 SEP 26
The cabbage crisisFrom formaldehyde to Tibet, China’s grip on information is a tool of powerThe formaldehyde-treated cabbage scandal has revived long-standing concerns over food safety in China and put consumer confidence to the test. Meanwhile, Beijing is carefully controlling the flow of information about the disaster in TibetbyGiulia Pompili2 SEP 26
in the run-up to the electionsAmidst the turmoil of the French centre-right, one name is emerging: PhilippeHe has begun to receive significant backing, ranging from Wauquiez, leader of Les Républicains, to Justice Minister Darmanin, a key figure in the current government. And also from Sarkozy’s circles. Candidacies, temptations of revenge and friendly fire. Why the antidote to a Le Pen–Mélenchon run-off is not to be found on the leftbyJean-Pierre Darnis2 SEP 26