Category Archives: GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS

Lessons from Military Chaos to Civilian Life

Posted on September 4, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

A reflection on the absurdity of an army obstacle course compared to daily office life, where chaos reigns without warning. The experiences taught valuable lessons in teamwork and resilience. Embracing organised foolishness in challenging situations makes chaos manageable, turning difficulties into shared experiences, ultimately preparing ex Servicemen Vets for life’s unpredictable moments. Continue reading →

Posted in ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS, JOKES, HUMOUR, AND OTHER WIT, WORLD MILITARY | Tagged absurdity, adversity, challenging situations, endurance, grit, leadership skills, life, life lessons, motivation, obstacle course, office life, organized chaos, personal growth, philosophy, preparation, resilience, shared experiences, survival training, team bonding, teamwork, travel, unpredictability, writing | Leave a comment

Under Watching Wings: Israeli C 130s and ISR Jets Shadow the Sumud Flotilla

Posted on September 4, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

The brief landings of three Israeli C – 130s in Sicily and also ISR jet patrols over the Strait of Sicily line up with the Global Sumud Flotilla’s path. Greta Thunberg and volunteers aboard aid ships bound for Gaza may be under close watch. Drone incursions and past intercepts hint at a maritime shadow operation. As the convoy sails toward Malta and beyond, keep an eye on ISR sorties and possible diplomatic ripples if Israel shadows or boards humanitarian vessels again. Continue reading →

Posted in ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS, Island Fortress, Malta | Tagged AirborneReconnaissance, C130Operations, CentralMediterranean, DroneSurveillance, GazaAid, GazaBlockade, GlobalSumudFlotilla, GretaThunberg, HumanitarianFlotilla, HumanitarianMission, IsraelAirForce, ISRJets, Italy, MALTA, MaritimeDomainAwareness, MaritimeSurveillance, NavalInterception, NevatimAirBase, Sigonella, StraitOfSicily, Volunteers | Leave a comment

Pressure Points in the Central Mediterranean

Posted on September 4, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

A Russian submarine off Sicily, U.S. defense tariffs, rising oil prices and shifting migration routes are squeezing the central Mediterranean—and Malta sits right in the squeeze. We unpack those pressures and outline practical steps the Islands can take to stay ahead of the curve. Continue reading →

Posted in ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS, Island Fortress, Malta, WORLD MILITARY | Tagged AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, border, CentralMed, defense procurement, EnergySecurity, EU, EU funding, European Union, fleet renewal, FORZI ARMATI, FRONTEX, HybridWarfare, illegal migration, irregular migration, MALTA, Malta defense, MaltaSecurity, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN, maritime budget, maritime security, MaritimeAwareness, Mediterranean security, migration, MigrationReady, military planning, naval strategy, strategic planning, Valletta | Leave a comment

Media Narratives on Migration in Europe and how they differ

Posted on July 23, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

From Italy’s numeric focus to Sweden’s volunteer welcomes, we unveil how European news frames migration—and what’s lost when human stories slip through the cracks. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged border, border crossings, community response, EU, Europe, European Union, FRONTEX, human stories, humanitarian reporting, illegal migration, integration, irregular migration, journalism, maritime security, media narratives, Mediterranean security, migration, naval strategy, news bias, news coverage, newsroom, policy debate, refugees | Leave a comment

A European Union Citizen’s Wake-Up Call: When Travel Turns Into Compliance

Posted on July 22, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

In a climate where travel is becoming less about connection and more about compliance, we examine the newly introduced U.S. visa integrity fee from a European perspective shaped by one’s own military service and a lifetime of storytelling. It challenges the logic of charging visitors to prove their trustworthiness, reflecting on what this shift says about openness, surveillance, and the quiet erosion of cultural exchange. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged airport immigration, big brother state, border, border security, cultural exchange, documentary filmmaking, EU, European Union, european union citizens, homeland security, illegal migration, immigration policies, international tourism, irregular migration, migration, military perspective, mistakes, multimedia journalism, orwellian measures, passport control, refundable visa fee, social media commentary, storytelling across borders, surveillance concerns, travel deterrents, travel ethics, travel freedom, travel restrictions, U.S. visa changes, usa travel policy, visa integrity fee, visa surcharge, visitor compliance, visitor trust | Leave a comment

Salt, Soil and Screens: Chasing Curiosity from Malta to the Wi-Fi Age

Posted on July 20, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

In Malta’s sun-splashed fields and rocky shores, we chased rabbits through rubble walls and hauled nets at sunset, earning scabby knees and salty hair as proof of real discovery. Today’s kids hunt for Wi-Fi bars instead of sparrows, yet that pull toward the unknown—messy, unpredictable and full of hope—still beats beneath it all. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged Childhood Memories, Curiosity, Digital Kids, Fishing, homemade, Island Adventures, Ivan M. Consiglio, MALTA, Malta Childhood, MALTESE, MALTIN, Messy Curiosity, Nature, Nature Vs Screen, Nostalgia, Old Vs New, Outdoor Adventure, photos, Rabbit Trapping, scout, scouts, Screen Time, Sea Salt Stories, Valletta, Wildlife Encounters | Leave a comment

Stop Speaking Code: I Just Want Help

Posted on July 20, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

Tech support shouldn’t feel like shouting into a canyon. Here’s looking at the emotional weight behind confusing calls, the power of plain language, and why real empathy—not just scripted kindness—can transform frustration into understanding. Let’s rethink help, one conversation at a time. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged accessibletech, AI, apps, beyondjargon, clarity, communication, customerexperience, digitaldignity, empathy, explainersnotexperts, fixingtheconversation, guidedhelp, humanconnection, inclusivecommunication, listeningbetter, plainlanguage, realanswers, Social Media, supportwithheart, talklikeahuman, technology, techsupport, trusttheprocess, understandingmatters | Leave a comment

The Latte Lie: When Naming Becomes Nonsense

Posted on July 20, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

Venting in a playful takedown of the coffee world’s inflated naming rituals—where a humble cup turns into a branding spectacle, where we examine how language gets needlessly complicated in cafés and beyond, spotlighting a refreshingly honest chalkboard sign that cuts through the noise. It’s a gentle nudge to keep things simple, served with humour and a side of satire. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged authenticity, blog commentary, branding, café culture, café storytelling, coffee, coffee trends, consumer behaviour, cultural appropriation, design thinking, espresso honesty, flat white, humour in marketing, Italian language, latte humour, marketing satire, naming conventions, product names, simplicity, Starbucks critique | Leave a comment

Gaps at Sea: Why Malta Needs a Unified Naval Strategy

Posted on July 10, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

We trace two decades of stopgap naval decisions in Malta—from the lone P61 to the belated P71—and shows how reactive procurement, heavy reliance on EU funding, and shifting military roles have left gaps in maritime defense. We argue for a unified, long-term strategy driven by stable budgeting and clear leadership so that Malta can replace one-off fixes with a fleet built for future security challenges. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, border, defense procurement, EU, EU funding, European Union, fleet renewal, FORZI ARMATI, FRONTEX, MALTA, Malta defense, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN, maritime budget, maritime security, Mediterranean security, military planning, naval strategy, P61, P71, strategic planning | Leave a comment

Reactive to Proactive: Building Malta’s Long-Term Maritime Defense

Posted on July 10, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

Tracing two decades of stopgap naval decisions in Malta—from the lone P61 to the belated P71—and shows how reactive procurement, heavy reliance on EU funding, and shifting military roles have left gaps in maritime defense. We argue for a unified, long-term strategy driven by stable budgeting and clear leadership so that Malta can replace one-off fixes with a fleet built for future security challenges. Continue reading →