Paolo Palumbo

The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan forced most modern and technologically advanced armies to reasses their strategies on guerrilla and asymetric warfare.

When the King of France Louis XVI betrayed his people by handing them over to foreigners, he had no idea what his fate would be. With the Prussian army at its borders and Austria ready to intervene, the days of revolutionary government seemed numbered. Worried by the imminent collapse, the French Government called all citizens […]

Napoleonic history continues to fascinate scholars and enthusiasts from all over the world. Napoleon Bonaparte, the man who elevated France to its greatest glory in the military field, is still today one of the most beloved (and hated) characters in history. The Imperial Era, from 1805 to 1815, has many followers in the world of […]

These days, the front pages of European newspapers are telling the story of the Sea-Watch 3 and its captain, a 31-year-old German woman, Carola Rackete. After two weeks off the island of Lampedusa, the non-governmental organization (NGO) rescue ship, flying the Dutch flag, forced through the blockade imposed by Italian authorities, causing an accident – fortunately […]

August 14, 2018 is a date that can never fade from the collective memory of all Italians. It was a terrible day, one foreshadowed by a severe storm in Genoa. Suddenly, a lightning strike illuminated the sky, followed by an impressive roar. In a few seconds, one of Italy’s most famous bridges crumbled into the […]

It’s possible that in the next few days, Matteo Salvini—Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior—will land in the United States to achieve Donald Trump’s favor. For his election campaign, the leader of the Italian League was inspired by the American president motto “America First”, replacing it with “Italy First.” But who is Matteo […]

In recent years, we’ve witnessed a slow breakdown of Italian military institutions. It’s a crisis that affects the whole of Europe but in Italy, has consequences that reflect on the dignity of the army environment. The most worrying data related to the investment which, with Italian Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta, has reached an all-time low. […]

The 9th paratroopers assault regiment, Col Moschin, took another step toward the recovery of those traditions that founded the history of one of the most prestigious units of the Italian Army. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Army Special Intervention Unit’s formation, the “Ninth” will soon change the color of its glorious maroon […]

Before the 9/11 the studies on “terrorism” remained confined among a small group of academics who mostly investigated motives and connections with the superpowers ideology and the Cold War. Already in the 1970s there were few University or private institutes operating in the sector, both at the service of some government or independent, who addressed […]

In the early 80’s the 9th Parachute Assault Batallion “Col Moschin” began the first trainings for the HAHO / HALO jump technique. Some italians Raiders had already experimented the new jump technique thanks to exchanges to pratical experiences with the Green Berets. In 1980 an American instructors Team reached Pisa, hosted by the Folgore Parachutists Division, where Colonel […]

The recent assaults that have struck the European cities show a strategic change in Islamist terrorism. Young Muslims, in some cases already known to the authorities, have acted in unexpected ways, using light weapons and improvised resources to maximize terror in public spaces. While some analysts have discovered a lessening degree in the severity of […]

9th Col Moschin Parachute Assault Regiment’s operators  in an armored vehicle during a “marksman” training mission. Tuscany 2015.   Photo: Viviana Cariola