Widening fronts. Italy’s Chief of Defence Staff General Luciano Portolano warned that Israel’s “autonomous” strikes on Iran “open a new chapter, adding elements of tension” and carry “the risk of deflagration and extension of the conflict to neighbouring countries.”
- In an interview with Corriere della Sera, he highlighted the multidimensional nature of modern warfare—nuclear diplomacy, shifting alliances, resources and rivalries—that all parties must strive to contain.
Lebanon’s lessons. Reflecting on Lebanon, Portolano noted that “the ceasefire and the election of General Joseph Aoun have been encouraging signals,” even as the south remains unstable and littered with unexploded ordnance.
- He praised UNIFIL’s revival of patrols: “UNIFIL continues to play a key role in stabilising the area under UN Resolution 1701,” and underscored Italy’s commitment, marked by Major General Diodato Abagnara’s recent appointment.
New faces of war. On Ukraine, Portolano described a war of attrition in which Russia—despite heavy losses—has “the capacity to regenerate men and materiel” and now controls nearly 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory.
- He observed, “This conflict shows all the new faces of today’s wars: surveillance drones, kamikaze drones, satellites, electronic and cyber warfare, AI, disinformation, special‐forces incursions and mercenary militias.”
European defence drive. Looking to NATO’s eastern flank, Portolano argued that Western allies must “support Ukraine’s self‐defence capabilities and maintain credible deterrence.”
- He hailed the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 as “a vital step in building an autonomous, cohesive, effective European defence,” calling for joint investments in command‑and‑control and a robust industrial base.
Diplomatic de‑escalation. At the G7 summit in Canada, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is pushing for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran crisis while ensuring the broader agenda—the global economy, Indo-Pacific strategy, and Ukraine—remains intact.
- “We all agree: Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon,” said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
- “Our main task is to bring diplomacy and dialogue back to the fore,” he added.
