Why Italy's migrant problem has not led to terrorism
With huge numbers of undocumented migrants from hot spot Muslim countries one might have thought Italy would have a major terrorism problem. It doesn't, and that is because it just does its intelligence, policing, and community management better, and unshackled from political correctness
- 29 June 2017
Alitalia's crazy woes are a metaphor for modern Italy
Ryanair has fewer employees than Alitalia but twice as many pilots, flying three times as many planes, carrying five times as many passengers. Chaotic Alitalia is a metaphor for modern Italy
- 2 May 2017
Comic opera as Brussels comes to Rome
The EU farce in Rome was widely trumpeted. Italy has contributed more than its fair share to European culture, but no one reminded us that Michelangelo and Puccini did their bit without the help of an unelected supranational body in Belgium. Meanwhile, the euro continues to strangle the Italian economy and Britain heads out the door
- 28 March 2017
The EU's diesel fiasco
Wherever you stand on climate change, the utterly cynical policy in Brussels to promote diesel caused a pollution nightmare. Now they're preparing to prosecute at least 5 governments for having polluted cities! And the European taxpayer is left with the bill for this fiasco. Thank goodness we voted for Brexit
- 17 March 2017
Italy kicks off another big year for Europe
In 2017 we reach the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, but the main concern is that Europe will remain in denial and stupor. But the economic difference between Europe's north and south continues to widen, as turbulent Italy so clearly demonstrates. Hold on to your seats
- 9 January 2017
Il Gattopardo in Italy: All change or no change?
The way in which elites across the democratic world cynically seek to rig the system to protect themselves is now being played out in Italy. After the failed referendum, the powers that be are scrambling to avoid real change. Sound familiar?
- 17 December 2016
Italy seeks a better deal
Italy has benefited enormously from the European Union but now it is a net contributor and suffers the consequences of the disastrous single currency. How long will it be before the Italians decide enough is enough?
- 8 November 2016
Italy and devolution
To London-centric Britain, devolution of powers to regional mayors often seems like a no-brainer. In Italy, it's a little different. What, for example, if the local government’s policies are centred on 1950s Stalinist economics, the mayor a communist?
- 27 September 2016
The Amatrice earthquake and the hand of the mafia
The lessons of L’Aquila and of Amatrice and of the next one (for there will be a next one) is that Italy’s endemic corruption doesn’t just cost the state, it kills the innocent. The hand of the mafia in fraudulent construction projects is there for all to see
- 1 September 2016
Mafia Capitale and the governance of Rome
The Mafia Capitale trial in Rome has begun over the city's home grown mafia. One of the accused is a comic book baddie with one eye lost in a shoot out, another was recorded by police saying that the contract for looking after immigrants was more profitable than running cocaine
- 8 November 2015
Health and jobs and sausages in Italy
Italy's health system comes top of the league table for cancer recovery rates. NHS supporters should take note. But it is close to bottom when it comes to nepotism, and the brightest and best are emigrating. As ever, it's a mixed bag in Italy
- 30 October 2015
A gangster’s funeral, Italy style
Mafia supremo Vittoria Casamonica was buried in a manner that looked like something from the Godfather. In fact, it sounded like it too as, incredibly, the streets of Rome rang out to the theme music to Mario Puzo's famous movie. Only in Italy..
- 25 August 2015
Italy's health system versus the NHS
The embarrassing Olympic opening ceremony was watched by hundreds of millions of people with far better health systems than ours. Italy, as Tim Hedges recounts, just wipes the floor with the NHS. Why are we in denial?
- 1 June 2015
Women in Italy
In northern Europe the proportion of women who work is around two-thirds. In Italy it is less than half and in the south of the country it is not much more than one third. There's a long way to go, but you should see how it used to be. Some incredible stories
- 9 March 2015
Italy: the new far-Right
The far-Right in Italy is starting to mount a serious challenge. It is smarter than it used to be, modelled on Marine Le Pen’s Front National, offering a softer, more approachable platform. They're right on one thing. They want out of the euro
- 26 December 2014
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