English for Diplomacy: dicembre 2025

La Camera di Commercio Italiana di Los Angeles si chiama Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West (IACCW) e supporta le imprese del Made in Italy per espandersi in California e negli Stati Uniti occidentali, coprendo aree come Arizona e Nuovo Messico; fornisce informazioni su normative, fiere ed eventi, aiutando le aziende italiane a fare business negli USA

https://www.assocamerestero.it/ccie/italy-america-chamber-of-commerce-west-inc

What are the prospects for real European autonomy in terms of defence and deterrence?

Growing tensions in global politics and the current challenges for Europe in 2025 in response to Russia and China’s assertiveness and potential US disengagement – possible future scenarios

Can Europe achieve autonomy at least in terms of conventional warfare? Can it achieve integration and the interoperability of its forces?

https://euractiv.it/section/eu-demos/news/why-the-eu-must-strengthen-its-strategic-autonomy/

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/09/02/eu-sets-military-spending-record-expects-more-growth-in-2025/#:~:text=The%20agency%20said%20it%20expected,States%20has%20higher%20military%20expenditures.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/security-autonomy-key-to-europes-political-freedom-italian-premier/3763568

https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2025/12/unpacking-europes-deterrence-dilemmas?lang=en

https://www.dirittoue.info/european-strategic-autonomy-between-dependence-and-long-term-emancipation/

https://decode39.com/12705/italy-and-u-s-national-security-strategy-eu-reform-continental-defence/

https://commission.europa.eu/topics/defence/future-european-defence_en

https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/03/30/europes-defence-industry-on-the-brink-of-transformation/

https://www.eunews.it/en/2025/10/27/defense-eu-lacks-both-an-industrial-base-and-military-research-capacity/

https://www.socialeurope.eu/europes-defence-crisis-why-more-spending-alone-will-not-keep-the-continent-safe

https://www.euractiv.com/news/eu-defence-agency-warns-rising-budgets-still-undermined-by-fragmentation/

France and Britain

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-and-france-to-coordinate-aircraft-carrier-deployments/

https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/military-balance/2025/07/ukfrance-defence-a-statement-of-entente-for-wider-european-security/

Drones

https://www.dw.com/en/why-is-europe-struggling-to-defend-against-drones/a-74139551

https://epthinktank.eu/2025/06/04/military-drone-systems-in-the-eu-and-global-context-types-capabilities-and-regulatory-frameworks/

https://www.euractiv.com/news/exclusive-eu-defence-chief-says-drone-wall-could-be-ready-in-a-year/

https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/briefs/minding-drone-gap-drone-warfare-and-eu

Türkiye

https://www.mei.edu/publications/turkey-not-lost-it-time-other-nato-allies-more-strongly-reengage

https://trendsresearch.org/insight/turkiye-in-nato-what-does-the-alliance-mean-for-ankara-on-its-75th-anniversary/?srsltid=AfmBOoo_pI7xbh1NsyAj5retP0zc4tmMOP_1BcVhVpfqb14bNw2KvgWd

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/turkey-still-trying-to-find-way-back-to-f-35-program-ps-121025

https://www.oxan.com/insights/turkeys-expanded-role-in-eu-defence-will-benefit-both/

Italy

https://www.startinsight.eu/en/italy-the-2025-2027-defence-white-paper/

https://decode39.com/12705/italy-and-u-s-national-security-strategy-eu-reform-continental-defence/

https://www.eunews.it/en/2025/10/01/security-meloni-to-eu-leaders-there-is-also-a-southern-flank/

Military service

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgj4npzp53o

https://www.eunews.it/en/2024/05/15/european-countries-back-to-discussing-compulsory-military-conscription-nine-still-have-it/

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/why-europe-is-bringing-back-conscription/90324316

Obstacles

https://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/progress-and-shortfalls-in-europes-defence-an-assessment/introduction/

https://www.iris-france.org/en/the-rearm-europe-plan-squaring-the-circle-between-integration-and-national-sovereignty/

https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/802-the-four-challenges-facing-european-defence

https://federalists.eu/federalist-library/a-roadmap-to-european-sovereignty/ !

venerdì 12 dicembre 2025

Grammar - Quantifiers

Explanation

https://www.wallstreetenglish.com/exercises/what-are-quantifiers

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/much-many-a-lot-of-lots-of-quantifiers

https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Quantifiers_1.pdf

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/a1-a2-grammar/quantifiers-few-a-few-little-a-bit

Exercises

https://www.english-4u.de/en/grammar-exercises/quantifiers.htm

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/mengen.htm

https://www.grammarbank.com/a-little-a-few-exercise.html

https://agendaweb.org/grammar/quantifiers-quantity-exercises.html

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/a2/much-many-little-few-some-any/

https://www.english-grammar.at/online_exercises/quantifiers/quanitifiers-index.htm

Grammar - although, even though, though, despite, in spite of

Explanation

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/contrasting-ideas-although-despite-others

https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/in-spite-despite-and-although

https://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_contents/grammar/although-despite.html

https://www.mobberley.cheshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Worksheet-14.pdf

Exercises

https://iuuk.mff.cuni.cz/~andrew/EAP/Murphy_p226-7.pdf

https://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_contents/exercises/although-despite-quiz1.html

https://www.myenglishpages.com/grammar-exercise-although/

https://www.grammarbank.com/despite-although-exercise.html#google_vignette

https://english-practice.net/english-grammar-exercises-although-though-even-though-in-spite-of-despite/#google_vignette

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/clauses-contrast-purpose-reason/2/

https://speakspeak.com/english-grammar-exercises/upper-intermediate/despite-in-spite-of-although-even-though-2

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/a2/however-although-time-connectors/

https://www.myenglishpages.com/grammar-exercise-although/

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/linking-words-contrast-exercise-1.html

https://agendaweb.org/grammar/conjunctions-connectors-exercises.html

Grammar - Infinitives and gerunds

https://englishadvanced2.blogspot.com/2013/10/speakout-advanced-p-24-gerunds-and.html

https://it.pinterest.com/pin/43136108926691426/

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/infinitive-gerund/exercises?20 the gerund as a subject of a verb

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/structures/gerund_prepositions2.htm the gerund after a preposition

Verbs followed by the gerund or the infinitive

https://it.pinterest.com/pin/15621929951918964/

https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/verbs-followed-infinitives/

https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/verbs-followed-gerunds/

https://www.engvid.com/english-resource/verbs-followed-by-gerunds-and-infinitives/

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_same_list.htm

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/gerund_infinitive_difference.htm

exercises

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/index.htm

https://agendaweb.org/verbs/infinitive_gerund-exercises.html with links to twenty exercises!

https://www.english-grammar.at/online_exercises/gerund-infinitive/gerund-infinitive-index.htm#google_vignette

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-1.html

mercoledì 10 dicembre 2025

Le missioni e iniziative italiane all’estero nel 2025

Le missioni militari italiane all’estero nel 2025

https://www.analisidifesa.it/2025/04/le-missioni-militari-italiane-allestero-nel-2025/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CSono%20attualmente%20in%20corso%2039,500%20milioni%20per%20il%202026%E2%80%9D.

https://unipd-centrodirittiumani.it/en/topics/italian-governments-decision-on-participation-in-international-missions-in-2024

Ministero della Difesa

https://www.difesa.it/operazionimilitari/index/26771.html

Operazioni Internazionali in corso

https://www.difesa.it/operazionimilitari/op-intern-corso/operazioni-int/26752.html

Operazioni nazionali in corso

https://www.difesa.it/operazionimilitari/nazionaliincorso/default/26755.html

Operazioni internazionali concluse

https://www.difesa.it/operazionimilitari/op-int-concluse/index/26816.html

Operazioni nazionali concluse

https://www.difesa.it/operazionimilitari/op-naz-concluse/default/27529.html

Missioni umanitarie https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/eventi/2025/11/food-for-gaza-limpegno-umanitario-dellitalia/

https://www.difesa.it/eng/primo-piano/italys-humanitarian-airlift-to-gaza-continues/77145.html

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/11/tajani-annuncia-italia-per-il-sudan-mobilitazione-di-emergenza-per-la-crisi-umanitaria-sudanese/

https://ambdhaka.esteri.it/en/news/dall_ambasciata/2025/10/the-government-of-italy-renewed-today-its-commitment-to-rohingya-refugees-with-a-eur-2-5-million-contribution-to-unhcr-the-un-refugee-agency-bolstering-life-saving-assistance-and-protection-in-bangl/

https://www.iom.int/italy

Missioni per lo sviluppo

https://www.aics.gov.it/news/dialoghi-dallafrica-2025-limpegno-aics-nelle-aree-di-crisi-del-sahel-e-corno-dafrica/?lang=en

https://addisabeba.aics.gov.it/aics/mission/?lang=en

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/approfondimenti/2025/11/tajani-africa-e-gaza-italia-garante-su-sviluppo-e-ricostruzione-il-mattino-2/

Il Piano Mattei

https://aspeniaonline.it/il-piano-mattei-funziona-una-prima-valutazione/

https://fmes-france.org/en/the-evolution-of-italian-presence-in-africa-towards-an-innovative-policy-approach/

https://www.governo.it/it/piano-mattei

https://www.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/UniPa_Il-Piano-Mattei-per-l%E2%80%99Africa-come-nuovo-modello-di-partenariato.pdf

https://www.africaeaffari.it/aif2025-piano-mattei-via-alla-fase-di-piena-attuazione/

Il Global Gateway dell'Unione europea

https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway_en

https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/initiatives-sub-saharan-africa/eu-africa-global-gateway-investment-package_en

https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/how-the-eus-global-gateway-shifted-from-development-to-geostrategic-interest-211706

In India another example of economic diplomacy

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/12/tajani-in-india-a-new-delhi-e-mumbai-incontri-politici-e-business-forum/

On 11 December, the mission will continue in Mumbai. Minister Tajani, along with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, will chair the Italy-India Business Forum, the first in Mumbai and the third in 2025, following those in New Delhi (April) and Brescia (June). The Forum will focus on economic cooperation in the automotive, renewable energy, sports technologies, and agri-food sectors, with the participation of CDP, SIMEST, SACE, ITA, and Confindustria, among others. Trade between Italy and India reached €14.3 billion in 2024, with exports of €5.2 billion (+0.8%) and imports of €9.1 billion (-0.4%). Prime Minister Meloni called on Modi to reach €20 billion annually by 2029.

The Business Forum also envisages meetings with representatives of the Indian “Unicorn startups” and the Italy-India Entrepreneurs’ Association. The large size of its market, as well as the country’s high GDP growth rates, make India one of the most promising countries in the “Action Plan for Italian Exports to High-Potential Non-EU Markets.” With robust economic growth (+6.5% in 2024) and a growing population (1.4 billion, e.g. one-sixth of humanity), India provides many opportunities for Italian companies, especially in the high-tech, machinery, space, defence, infrastructure, renewable energy, and digitalization sectors.

sabato 6 dicembre 2025

Economic diplomacy - an example

The UK and London

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/10/da-oggi-a-londra-casa-italia/

https://amblondra.esteri.it/en/italia-e-regno-unito/diplomazia-economica/

https://amblondra.esteri.it/en/italia-e-regno-unito/diplomazia-economica/fare-affari-nel-regno-unito/

https://amblondra.esteri.it/en/italia-e-regno-unito/diplomazia-economica/fare-affari-in-italia/

https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/paese.php?id_paesi=85

https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/presenza_italiana.php?id_paesi=85

e.g. https://uk.leonardo.com/en/home

https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/perchepaese.php?id_paesi=85

https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/dove_investire.php?id_paesi=85

https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/dove_vendere.php?id_paesi=85

https://www.italchamind.org.uk/it/

https://www.italchamind.org.uk/

https://www.italchamind.org.uk/it/servizi-aziendali/

https://www.italchamind.org.uk/business-services/

https://www.italchamind.org.uk/it/international-business-matching/

https://www.italchamind.org.uk/it/event-management/

https://www.sace.it/mappe/dettaglio/regno-unito

https://www.sace.it/en/about-us

https://www.sace.it/media/comunicati-e-news/dettaglio-news/investimenti-all'estero

https://www.simest.it/en/simest-offer/soft-loans/facilitated-financing-for-internationalization/

https://www.ice.it/en/markets/united-kingdom/london

https://www.ice.it/it/mercati/regno-unito

https://www.ice.it/it/mercati/regno-unito/londra

https://www.ice.it/it/mercati/regno-unito/info-desk-innovazione-e-start-0

an example https://www.italchamind.org.uk/finstrals-fit-show-debut-a-resounding-success-and-a-bright-future-in-the-uk/

and an independent initiative https://italiabusinesshub.co.uk/

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reform, effective from 2026

and translation

https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/12/il-ministro-tajani-presenta-la-riforma-della-farnesina-operativa-dal-2026/

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/12/il-ministro-tajani-presenta-la-riforma-della-farnesina-operativa-dal-2026/

venerdì 5 dicembre 2025

Why economic diplomacy is so important right now

Italy's economy in late 2025 shows weak growth (around 0.4-0.6% for 2025), with forecasts indicating slow recovery, hurt by global uncertainty, tariffs, and lagging net exports, despite some internal demand and positive labor market signs; long-term concerns remain around high public debt and structural issues like skills gaps.

Key Points for December 2025:

Low GDP Growth: Forecasts hover around 0.4-0.6% for 2025, with limited momentum expected into 2026.
External Headwinds: Global trade tensions, new tariffs (especially on US trade), and reduced demand from partners are hurting Italian exports.
Domestic Demand Support: Growth relies on domestic spending, particularly investment, partly driven by EU recovery funds (RRF).
Labor Market Mixed: Employment is rising, but wage growth and hours per worker are weak, and skills shortages persist.
Public Finances: Debt remains high (around 137% of GDP by 2027), and debt servicing costs are a concern, though deficits are projected to fall.
Inflation: Remains subdued, helping consumer purchasing power, but rising energy costs (ETS2) might push it up later.

Major Concerns:

High Debt: Italy's large public debt-to-GDP ratio poses systemic risks.
Productivity & Structural Issues: Falling productivity and regional economic disparities (North-South divide) are persistent problems.
External Shocks: Vulnerability to international trade disputes and economic slowdowns.

In essence, Italy's economy is experiencing fragile, slow growth, with forecasts suggesting minimal improvement, struggling against global headwinds despite some positive domestic trends.

https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/economic-surveillance-eu-member-states/country-pages/italy/economic-forecast-italy_en

https://www.eunews.it/en/2025/11/17/eu-halves-italys-growth-forecast-0-4-percent-in-2025-bottom-of-the-pack-by-2027/

https://www.coface.kr/news-economy-and-insights/italy-despite-flattering-comments-on-its-performance-the-economy-is-not-taking-off

https://www.istat.it/en/press-release/italys-economic-outlook-2025-2026-2/

so check https://youngdip.blogspot.com/2025/09/italian-economic-diplomacy.html

Turismo delle Radici (Roots Tourism)

https://www.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/italiani-all-estero/turismo-delle-radici/

https://www.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/italiani-all-estero/turismo-delle-radici/

https://italea.com/chi-siamo/

https://italea.com/en/chi-siamo/

https://italea.com/en/find-your-area/

https://www.confcommercio.it/-/turismo-radici-firenze

Per il "Turismo delle Radici", lo straniero (discendente di italiani) non compila un unico modulo ministeriale per entrare, ma se ha bisogno di un visto, la domanda si fa tramite il consolato competente, mentre se è cittadino UE o esente visto, si presenta una Lettera di Invito al suo domicilio in Italia, specificando i dati dell'ospite, la durata e motivo (radici), dettagli lavorativi e legami di parentela, più documenti per l'assicurazione sanitaria. Il Ministero degli Esteri (MAECI) promuove il fenomeno, ma i moduli specifici (A, B, C) sono per i progetti che le associazioni presentano per ottenere fondi, non per il turista.

Per lo Straniero che Vuole Venire (Requisiti Generali):

1. Controllare i Requisiti di Ingresso: Verifica se il tuo Paese d'origine richiede un visto per l'Italia (Schengen).

2. Assicurazione Sanitaria: È fondamentale avere un'assicurazione valida per l'intero soggiorno, come richiesto per i visti o per l'ospitalità.

3. Lettera di Invito: Se non sei esente visto, il tuo parente/amico in Italia può preparare una Lettera di Invito (dichiarazione di ospitalità) da allegare alla tua domanda di visto.

Cosa Inserire nella Lettera di Invito (per chi ospita in Italia):

Dati anagrafici completi dell'ospite e dell'ospitante.
Motivo del soggiorno (Turismo delle Radici, riscoperta storia familiare).
Durata e indirizzo del soggiorno.
Dettagli sull'attività lavorativa dell'ospite.
Dichiarazione di ospitalità e responsabilità, con allegati documenti di identità e reddito.

Dove Trovare Modulistica Specifica:

Sui siti dei Consolati Italiani all'estero (per visti e iscrizione AIRE se pertinente).
Sulla pagina dedicata del Ministero degli Affari Esteri (MAECI) per informazioni e, in passato, per bandi specifici.

In sintesi: il modulo da compilare dipende dalla tua cittadinanza (visto vs. esenzione) e da chi ti ospita (lettera di invito), non da un unico modulo "Turismo delle Radici" per il singolo straniero, ma da quelli consolari o di ospitalità.

https://www.infoimmigrazione.com/lettera-invito-per-cittadini-stranieri/

Nel 2025, il Bando Turismo delle Radici si inserisce nel progetto più ampio Italea del PNRR, gestito dal Ministero degli Esteri, focalizzato sull'attrazione di italo-discendenti, con finanziamenti per progetti locali e la creazione di una rete di servizi, promuovendo la professionalità e l'offerta turistica integrata nei piccoli borghi e territori di origine, anche attraverso concorsi e la valorizzazione di eventi culturali legati all'emigrazione.

Punti Chiave del Bando nel 2025:

Obiettivo: Creare ponti culturali ed economici, attirando in Italia gli italo-discendenti per scoprire le proprie origini, valorizzando i piccoli centri.
Progetto Italea: È la piattaforma che coordina le iniziative, finanziata dal PNRR (2022-2025), per informare, accogliere e assistere i viaggiatori.
Bando delle Idee (PNRR): Finanziava "gruppi informali" (minimo 6 persone) per creare offerte turistiche integrate, spingendo alla creazione di nuovi soggetti del Terzo Settore legati al turismo delle radici.
Focalizzazione 2025: L'anno è dedicato alla competenza e professionalità, con la concretizzazione di progetti seri e l'organizzazione di eventi, bandi per bande musicali e gruppi folkloristici.
Rete Territoriale: Ogni regione ha un gruppo dedicato per supportare i viaggiatori, e si creano anche reti di Musei dell'Emigrazione.
Chi può partecipare: Progetti locali (Comuni, enti), gruppi informali, e i singoli italo-discendenti.

Dove trovare Informazioni e Opportunità:

Ministero degli Affari Esteri (MAECI): Controlla il loro sito per aggiornamenti ufficiali su Italea e nuovi bandi.
Ambasciate e Consolati: Spesso pubblicano bandi specifici a livello locale (es. Ambasciata di Lima nel 2023).
Enti Locali: Comuni, Camere di Commercio, e associazioni regionali (come Anci FVG) informano su iniziative locali.
Associazioni di settore: Consultare CSV (Centri Servizi per il Volontariato), AITR (Associazione Italiana Turismo Responsabile).

In sintesi, il 2025 è un anno di attuazione per il Turismo delle Radici, con un'offerta di servizi più strutturata e nuove opportunità di finanziamento e partecipazione, tutto sotto l'egida del progetto nazionale Italea.

2023 https://giovanisi.it/post-magazine/turismo-delle-radici-bando-per-progetti/#:~:text=La%20domanda%20di%20finanziamento%20dovr%C3%A0,C%20(dichiarazione%20soggetti%20partner).&text=La%20proposta%20progettuale%20deve%20pervenire,12.00%20del%2022%20marzo%202023.&text=%E2%80%93%20Vai%20alla%20pagina%20dedicata%20sul,%C3%A8%20presente%20anche%20la%20modulistica.