Tag Archives: European Union

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

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 →

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, illegal migration, irregular migration, MALTA, Malta defense, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN, maritime budget, maritime security, Mediterranean security, military planning, naval strategy, P61, P71, strategic planning | Leave a comment

Malta’s Quiet Watch: Reading the Ukraine Conflict from the Central Mediterranean

Posted on July 10, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

Malta’s unique position between Europe, North Africa and the Levant reveals early signals from the Ukraine conflict. Watching energy prices, bond yields and maritime traffic, Malta’s diplomats need to transform subtle shifts into practical insights for regional stability. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, border, Central Mediterranean, commodity shipments, diplomatic strategy, energy markets, EU, European geopolitics, European Union, FORZI ARMATI, hybrid warfare, MALTA, Malta diplomacy, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN, maritime security, market signals, military posture, nuclear deterrence, open-source intelligence, port monitoring, refugee flows, Russia-Ukraine conflict, Valletta | Leave a comment

The Mediterranean has transformed from a passive buffer into a “compression chamber”

Posted on July 9, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

A focused look at how Haftar’s Benghazi regime, “dark fleet” tankers, Houthi raids and Europe’s industrial strains are converging to tighten maritime pressure—shaping a new strategic reality Malta can’t ignore. Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged AIS blackout, benghazi, border, cyber friction, Cyrenaica realignment, dark shipping, dual-use infrastructure, energy security, European Union, FRONTEX, frozen Libyan assets, Haftar regime, Houthi Red Sea raids, hybrid maritime threats, illegal migration, irregular migration, MALTA, Malta defense, MALTESE, MALTESE MILITARY, Mediterranean security, migration, migration pressure, NATO southern flank, shadow logistics, Valletta, Wagner in Fezzan | Leave a comment

Lessons from the 12-Day War

Posted on June 28, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

Twelve days of missiles and maneuvering left the Middle East with more questions than answers. We try to unpack the headlines, the power plays, and the uneasy calm that followed. It’s a look at how fast-moving conflict can shift alliances, test defenses, and leave old problems unresolved—reminding us that in this region, survival sometimes matters more than victory.
Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS | Tagged 12DayWar, Ceasefire, EU, European Union, GeopoliticalTensions, Geopolitics, GlobalSilences, IranIsrael, MiddleEastConflict, MiddleEastReflection, ModernConflict, NarrativesOfPower, PartialVictories, PowerPolitics, QuietAftermath, SymbolicForce, TruthInFragments | Leave a comment

Malta’s defence force needs to get back to basics

Posted on February 14, 2025 by ivanmconsiglio

Investing in defence is essential, but what truly makes a difference is how efficiently Malta allocates and strategically focuses its military resources. Continue reading →