In March 2025, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to expedite the deportation of Venezuelan migrants suspected of gang affiliations, specifically targeting the Tren de Aragua gang. This marked an unprecedented peacetime application of the act, as the United States is not officially at war with Venezuela. While not able to stop the beginning of the deportations, a federal judge issued a fourteen-day restraining order, opening to legal debates about the scope and applicability of the act in contemporary contexts.
As geopolitical tensions mount and the possibility of a U.S. partial or complete withdrawal from NATO looms, Europe faces an urgent question: Can it defend itself without American support? The answer, while not impossible, comes with staggering costs and a long, uncertain road to military independence.
The recent arrest of Jack LaSota, known online as “Ziz,” has brought attention to the enigmatic and dangerous group called the Zizians. Once an obscure internet subculture, it has now been thrust into the public eye as authorities uncover disturbing details about the group’s ideology and its links to violent crimes. Under LaSota’s leadership, the Zizians have evolved from a niche philosophical movement into an organized and radicalized network, willing to engage in extreme actions to further its beliefs.
Italy, as a key European power, has traditionally maintained a limited presence in the Indo-Pacific. However, given the increasing global significance of the region and the close ties currently defining its relationship with Washington, Rome should reassess its strategic engagement. However, while France and the UK have already enhanced their naval and economic involvement in the Indo-Pacific, Italy has yet to fully articulate its role. Italy’s economic interests align with a stable and rules-based Indo-Pacific. The region is a critical market for Italian exports, including defense technology, maritime equipment, and infrastructure development.