Chasing frameworks of war

For two years, the Biden administration and NATO have adamantly stated that there is a red line that must not be crossed: providing Ukraine with F-16s would mean joining the war against Russia — No Way! So, are we at war? Analysts say no. They explain that NATO’s decision was the result of the need to pre-establish a fundamental point before a potential administration change in the White House. It’s a fundamental point especially for European countries, which fear that they would be left to face Russia on their own, should Donald Trump return. Europe (a weak and divided Europe both as an entity in its own right, and in the individual states that make it up) rediscovers (?) unity and independence from the United States, in the military industry. Of the many areas in which independence was possible, only the military industry was chosen. Who benefits?

Will F-16s change the course of the war? Some analysts explain that no, not much will change; at most, the jets would contain the Russian offensive, but they are not the solution to end the war, which will continue anyway and which neither side can realistically win. Furthermore, they say that thousands more civilians will die or lose their loved ones. The F-16 is an airplane that was first used in 1974. Italy also used it until 2012. It was later replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon, which will soon be replaced by the new Eurofighter gcap , currently being manufactured by the Italian company, Leonardo, together with the United Kingdom and Japan. Analysts conclude by explaining that the decisive step for an effective European defense, even more important than strategic coordination, is to make massive investments in the military industry. Not only airplanes. Recently, Leonardo announced a partnership agreement with the German company Rheinmetall for the manufacture of 200 new tanks and 350 armoured fighting vehicles. The bill for Italy was 20 billion euro. The war in Ukraine is cleaning out, emptying, NATO’s military arsenal. For the European military industry, the situation is as opportune as ever. Italy is not backing out, but rather increasing its military spending to 1.6 percent of GDP for 2025 (which in 2024 had hit 29 billion), with the aim of gradually reaching NATO’s target of spending 2 percent of GDP on military expenses. In the last two years, military spending in Italy has increased by 12.5 percent, which is 3.2 billion euro. Even more worrying than these numbers is the sense of euphoric support for the military’s supremacy, that is spreading in Italy and in the rest of Europe: the idea that the only possible strategy is war — the fact that anyone with a different opinion risks being accused of defeatism. But another strategy is always possible. Everyone knows it. Many think so but don’t say it. The only voice to openly claim that negotiation is the solution to war is Pope Francis’. Perhaps it is time to transition from propaganda to truth. From war to negotiation.

Andrea Monda