Decoder, the atlas of pop cultureDucks, Indian deities and interstellar travelFrom Virgil’s poem reimagined by Disney to the blockbuster adaptation of the Ramayana myth, right through to the convergence of Magic and Star Trek: three points of reference for exploring the contemporary imaginationdiGianluca De Angelis10 NOV 26
the eventStudents, doctors and nurses will take to the streets in Rome on 5 DecemberTwenty-seven trade unions and associations have organised a demonstration to “defend the right to healthcare and the future of the National Health Service”10 NOV 26
the meetingItaly took part in the coordination meeting ahead of the talks between the United States, Ukraine and RussiaThe National Security Adviser, Fabrizio Saggio, took part in the meeting with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and representatives from Ukraine, the E4 countries (Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom), NATO and the EU10 NOV 26
Is it Milan or California?Eat the rich, Italian styleWith this measure in the Budget Bill, Italy has succeeded in its fight against billionaires – a fight that failed in California with Proposition 40, which was rejected in the mid-term elections. What will happen in Milan?diMichele Masneri10 NOV 26
THE EDITOR’S EDITORIALThe French takeover bid for BPM is a perfect illustration of the government’s spectacular failures when it comes to banksGiorgetti’s agenda and a reality check. From the ‘golden power’ move against Unicredit to the gamble on MPS, the government has tried to reshape the Italian banking system, racking up one failure after another. The new game of Risk is very different from the one envisaged by Palazzo Chigi. And for Italian capitalism, this could be good news diClaudio Cerasa10 NOV 26
EDITORIALSThe Social Democrats may grab the headlines, but the US Congress is dominated by the moderates It is true that the Socialists have often won seats in unexpected constituencies, and it is true that the American Democrats will find themselves having to manage the deep divide between the moderate and more extreme wings, but Congress is by no means at the mercy of the extremists: the centrists are the dominant force diRedazione10 NOV 26
Il Foglio AiEthnic replacement and the future of Italy. Lessons for AIRoberto Volpi explains where the country is heading using figures, without scaremongering or conspiracy theories. Real problems, not phantoms10 NOV 26
EditorialsCentre-left elections in France: Macron proposes a ‘third force’From Glucksmann to Lisnard, the French president aims to spearhead a grand coalition capable of defeating the leader of the radical left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, in the first round and the champion of French sovereignty, Marine Le Pen, in the second. Towards a new ‘en même temps’diRedazione10 NOV 26
United StatesWhat remains of the Maga after the mid-term electionsFor a decade, Trump held together a movement with often contradictory ideas, driving the Republican Party forward thanks to his personal charisma. Following the defeat in the mid-term elections, that loyalty has become an electoral liability. The populist movement is fragmented and defeated. The key issues in the battle for the future of the Republican PartydiAni Chkhikvadze10 NOV 26
following the clashesFrom Tirana to Milan: the paradoxes of the uprising against Rama and the star architectsThe country is still undergoing its first major capitalist transformation since the end of communism, yet this story holds a lesson that is very relevant to us. A commemorative book that has turned into a political boomerangdiMarco Leonardi10 NOV 26
War firesA mother and her children in a story that unfolds as an intimate tragedy: Mouawad takes to the stage for the Stabile del Veneto.Marco Lorenzi brings "Incendi" by the Lebanese-Canadian playwright and writer to the stage. A play that evokes the myth of Oedipus and that interplay of unintended revelation which language offers when it speaks, in spite of itself, without meaning to, and foreshadows scenarios that contrast with the behaviour of those experiencing themdiValentina Berengo10 NOV 26
Pacifists gather in WanseeBurg and Carlson’s new ‘final solution for the Jews’The book, due for release on 17 November, and the accusations of using Nazi rhetoric: “When you talk about the ‘final solution’ for the Jews, you are entering deeply frightening territory. There is no reference to Israel in the title. It is specifically about the Jews.”diGiulio Meotti10 NOV 26
BAD SCIENTISTSAI can expose scientific errors. Or make them harder to challengeFive experts commissioned by the Trump administration to prepare a report on climate change asked Copilot to verify its scientific accuracy. The chatbot identified omissions and distortions, but the researchers also used its observations to anticipate objections and make the document more difficult to challenge diEnrico Bucci10 NOV 26
Letters to the EditorIf the broad coalition is looking more towards the Quirinale than towards Palazzo ChigiWho wrote to the editor-in-chief, Claudio Cerasa10 NOV 26
FOGLIO AIUnfinished cyber defenceCrosetto was already sounding the alarm about hybrid warfare as early as 2025. The draft bill is in place, but decisions have yet to be made10 NOV 26
Il Foglio AiData centres are not doomed to be hatedDespite the outcome of the mid-term elections, some cities have learnt to win them over10 NOV 26
Il Foglio Ai54 per cent. America’s greatness also stems from the ideas of foreigners. A lesson for sovereigntistsA study of 13 million patents reveals the extent to which American innovation depends on knowledge originating elsewhere and on the talent it is able to attract10 NOV 26
Ready for Abu DhabiThe summit between Ukraine, Russia and the United States begins today. Who will be attending, the topics to be discussed, and the outlookAfter a nine-month hiatus, negotiations between Kyiv, Moscow and Washington are resuming in Abu Dhabi, with European representatives also taking part. On the agenda are security in the Black Sea, an energy truce and the possibility of a meeting between the leaders. Expectations remain low and much will depend on the US position diKristina Berdynskykh10 NOV 26
(Former) terrorists against terroristsSyria is helping the Saudis by sending a former ISIS commanderFrom rumours of Damascus joining the Mecca Pact to the mission involving 600 troops against the Houthis. Who is Khaled Khattab, commander of the 82nd Division, which is overseeing the first overseas mission since the fall of the regime?diLuca Gambardella10 NOV 26
beyond Abu DhabiTrump and the trap of vanity in ChinaThe U.S. president risks sitting down in Shenzhen with the Kremlin leader and Xi, who regard him as a very lame duck. The idea for the meeting came from Putin, to discuss Ukraine – without Ukraine itself being present.diMicol Flammini10 NOV 26
SMALL SCREEN‘Report’ is back, and it’s just like the old one: populist and simplisticIf there are ‘influencers of urban decay’, is it the fault of the right, or of urban decay itself?diMaurizio Crippa10 NOV 26
A Time for MemoriesSophie Marceau writes about her years with Zulawski in a sad and dark WarsawShe was seventeen and still the girl from "Le Temps des Pommes" when she fell in love with the Polish director. In her new book, "Warszawa", Sophie Marceau recalls their life together, the daily hardships in communist Poland in the 1980s and the resilience of those who continued to fight against the regime diMauro Zanon10 NOV 26
The analysisMore than Pope Leo, it is the economy that worries Milei: the spread and doubts over his re-electionThe Pope’s visit to Argentina comes at a difficult time. The president is having to contend with an economic slowdown and a decline in purchasing power. The markets are beginning to price in doubts about his re-election, whilst plans to finance the 2027 debt are becoming increasingly complicated.diJuan Manuel Telechea10 NOV 26
Against cyber rhetoricThree ideas for avoiding hysterical coverage of cyber attacksThe threat is real, but hysteria without solutions is the attacker’s greatest ally. Three urgent antidotesdiCarlo Alberto Carnevale Maffè10 NOV 26
Dealing with Trump’s U-turnEverything Congress can (and is willing to) do to help KyivTrump continues to demand concessions from Kyiv, but the new Democratic majority in Congress wants to restore military aid, ensure the sharing of intelligence and strengthen sanctions against Russia. This is despite the support of some Republicans diPaola Peduzzi10 NOV 26
The Cabinet meeting on ‘friendly fire’Meloni accepts the EU’s flexibility, but at ANAC there is deadlock and acrimonyFollowing the Altieri fiasco, the appointment of the chairman has been postponed yet again. Obstacles to the Credit Agricole–BPM merger: Giavazzi says, “Unicredit was a better fit.”diCarmelo Caruso10 NOV 26
the interviewPerego (FI): “Anyone who fails to see the Russian threat is short-sighted”. The 13th aid package for Kyiv has been signedThe Under-Secretary, Crosetto’s second-in-command: “We must strengthen defence against cyber-attacks; today they are just as important as drones. There should be no rivalry with the intelligence services. Support for Ukraine should form part of the centre-right’s election manifesto.”diLuca Roberto10 NOV 26
Dem EconomyWork, energy, taxation. Former PD Deputy Minister Maria Cecilia Guerra defends the PD’s agendaOn energy, the PD is proposing a price decoupling system with ‘loopholes’ à la Pedro Sánchez; does it agree with the government’s energy bills decree? “It’s a step in the direction we have indicated,” says Guerra. The minimum wage? “In line with EU guidelines.” A reduction in working hours? “It would be wrong to impose a single figure for everyone.” What about the exit tax for the super-rich fleeing the country, which Meloni favours? “We agree.”diMarianna Rizzini10 NOV 26
Between the programme and the primariesConte visits universities and looks to the BRICS. Licheri: “A multipolar approach is needed”. Round-table discussion on Kyiv with the PD on ThursdayThe former prime minister continues his campaign, alternating between attacks on the government and calls for peace: “We will organise a conference on peace and disarmament.” His deputy explains why we need to look eastwards. Meanwhile, the policy debate began yesterday. “But it will be up to the leaders to draw up the conclusions,” explain sources from the broad coalition.diRuggiero Montenegro10 NOV 26
EDITORIALS‘Peace’ and accusations of genocide in MilanThe Jewish community walked out of a rather contentious council meeting. The protest was sparked by remarks made by the mayor of Andria, Giovanna Bruno (PD), who repeatedly referred to “genocide” in Gaza. Sala’s regret diRedazione10 NOV 26