Tag Archives: MALTA

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

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

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

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 →

Posted in ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS, Malta, WORLD MILITARY | Tagged 1ST REGIMENT, AFM, ARMED FORCES, ARMED FORCES OF MALTA, European Union, FORZI ARMATI, MALTA, MALTESE MILITARY, MALTIN | Leave a comment

The Rise of Barbers’ Salons in Malta: A Cut Above the Rest

Posted on May 16, 2024 by ivanmconsiglio

Trimming Trends: How Malta’s Barbers Are Shaping Style.
Showcasing the factors driving the rise of barbers’ salons in Malta, providing a comprehensive view of the industry’s growth.
Continue reading →