In the context of increasing global tensions and the need for a deeper understanding of conflicts, ASERI organized a meeting with Lorenzo Cremonesi, special correspondent for Corriere della Sera, introduced by Vittorio Emanuele Parsi and moderated by Damiano Palano, ASERI's director. The event was part of the “Raccontare la guerra” series, dedicated to the storytelling of conflicts, offering a critical reflection on the dynamics of war. Cremonesi’s talk focused not only on the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine but also on the role of information in shaping public perception.

“War is not an exception but a constant in history”, Cremonesi emphasized, challenging the perception of a peaceful era after the Cold War. “After the end of the Cold War, we deluded ourselves into thinking that the era of wars had ended”, he noted, explaining how numerous latent conflicts had been removed from Western public debate only to resurface in scenarios such as Ukraine and the Middle East. His first-hand experience in war zones allowed him to highlight the long-term dynamics that precede every conflict, often ignored or underestimated by policymakers and public opinion.

The discussion examined the return of a transactional view of power, with particular attention to the potential impact of Donald Trump’s re-election on the global order. “Trump’s approach, skeptical of multilateralism, marks a break with the past”, Cremonesi stated. If the U.S. leader were to once again question NATO and relations with European allies, Europe’s security would be significantly weakened. “If the United States ceases to be the guarantor of liberal democracies, what will be the fate of the international order?”

Modern wars are characterized by an evolution in their objectives and methods of combat. “The war in Ukraine was initially underestimated by the Ukrainians themselves”, Cremonesi explained, highlighting how the West struggled to understand the scale of Russia’s invasion. “We were not prepared to accept it, to understand it”. His direct experience in conflict areas enabled him to grasp the importance of a timely response and the necessity of greater strategic awareness among European nations.

A key topic of the discussion was the failure of traditional peace policies. “The Oslo Accords could have guaranteed long-term stability in the Middle East, but they were undermined by the expansion of Israeli settlements and the rise of extremism”, Cremonesi asserted. Similarly, the policy of appeasement toward Russia did not prevent Ukraine’s invasion; rather, it encouraged Moscow’s imperial ambitions. “Like it or not, force is still a key element in international relations”, he reiterated.

The debate also focused on the European Union’s ability to develop a common foreign and defense policy. “Without abolishing the veto right on foreign and security policy, the EU will never become a credible geopolitical actor”, Professor Parsi stressed. The only way to build a stronger, more cohesive Europe is through the creation of a common defense, supported by adequate investment in military capabilities. “Without a strong Europe, with a shared vision, we will always be a continent at the mercy of events”.

Finally, the role of journalism in conflicts was analyzed, particularly in the face of disinformation. “War journalism must be on the ground; otherwise, it risks becoming mere propaganda”, Cremonesi explained. In an era dominated by social media and fake news, direct presence in war zones remains essential to understanding the complexity of conflicts. “Without journalists on the ground, the narrative of wars is left in the hands of governments and power groups”.

The event sparked a lively debate among the audience, leaving participants with a profound realization: war is a reality we must confront. Ignoring it or pretending it does not concern us only delays the necessary choices to navigate an increasingly unstable and fragmented world. “War is not a distant possibility - it is already here, shaping our future”.