General Masiello: We Are in a War Climate

A strong and clear message emerged from the meeting organized in the former Carmine church during the Festival of Contemporary Thinking. The packed hall listened attentively to the dialogue between General Carmine Masiello, Chief of Staff of the Army, and diplomat Piero Benassi, former ambassador to Tunisia and Germany. The discussion was moderated by journalist Antonello Barone.

The picture painted was anything but reassuring: «We are in a war climate», Masiello began, referring to the growing tension between the West and Russia, as well as the internal fragility of democratic systems.

A Tired and Divided West

The world map has never been so intricate. For over three years, the conflict in Ukraine continues to destabilize Europe, while in the Middle East massacres and new waves of violence follow one another. In the background, the United States led by Donald Trump seems to have taken the path of marked isolationism, marked by new trade barriers and an increasingly complex relationship with European allies.

Benassi highlighted how today the danger is not so much the arrival of Russian tanks in the heart of the continent, but the democratic resilience of Western institutions. He cited cases of alleged interference in Moldovan elections and the internal tensions that cross the United States itself.

The New Weapons of Hybrid Warfare

General Masiello identified the main threats that Europe must deal with daily:

1. Cyber attacks, increasingly targeted at critical infrastructures.
2. Disinformation campaigns, which influence public opinion and fuel polarization.
3. Espionage, conducted constantly and often invisibly.

«We must act – Masiello emphasized –. We need a cutting-edge European defense system capable of countering new threats, from drones to disinformation».

Common Defense and European Responsibility

In a scenario described as «discouraging», both speakers indicated the way forward: strengthening European cooperation. «We must roll up our sleeves and be ready, working for a European defense», Masiello concluded.

An invitation echoed in many European capitals, where the debate on creating a European security pillar is increasingly central. From cyber-resilience to combating fake news, the European Union appears called to a leap in quality to withstand external and internal pressures.

The message delivered at the Festival is not just a warning, but also a call to responsibility: in a multipolar world, Europe cannot afford divisions or naivety.