Italian newspapers, especially Corriere della Sera, were keen to highlight in their political pages a story that could almost be dismissed as gossip or lighthearted news. Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump had a conversation. Not in a formal bilateral meeting, as one might expect, but on the sidelines of the splendid dinner hosted by Macron in Paris following the inauguration of the “new” Notre Dame.

The table was still set, the glasses of what was undoubtedly excellent wine still within reach, according to the reports. Nevertheless, both Trump’s and Meloni’s staff were eager to let the world know that the two leaders spoke. About what? Ukraine, the Middle East, relations with Europe. In short, about the world and its future.

Some claim Giorgia possesses a charisma and conviviality reminiscent of Berlusconi in his prime. Where diplomacy falls short, personal empathy bridges the gap. Is that a small thing? Others argue that she is poised to become the key European leader in negotiations with the new American president, putting Italy in a position of significant prestige—far from the “isolated Italy” narrative that opposition parties have been shouting about since June.

Of course, empathy and proficiency in direct communication with leaders are not enough on their own to navigate the complexities of global issues. But Meloni also has a solid political foundation: she is the only leader of the EU’s founding countries enjoying political stability and relative economic steadiness—certainly better off than France, shaken by a government crisis, and Germany, grappling with both a government crisis and the automotive industry’s struggles.

To round off this fruitful gathering at Notre Dame, our Prime Minister also squeezed in a casual meeting with Elon Musk. It has been a year since the eccentric entrepreneur attended Atreju, the annual and now almost Christmas-like festival of Fratelli d’Italia. At the time, it was dismissed as a quirky technological event. But today, those who talk to Musk are engaging with the main player in The Donald’s victory.

In short: empathy, English fluency, and foresight!

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In a move set to reshape Italy’s migration policy, the government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced the suspension of all asylum requests from Syria. The decision, formalized in a statement from Palazzo Chigi, follows the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the ensuing political chaos in the country. This measure aligns Italy with other European governments, including Germany, Sweden, the UK, and Austria, which have implemented similar actions. The stated aim is to ensure national security and support a peaceful and inclusive transition for the Syrian people.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting held after the Council of Ministers, attended by key government figures such as Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, and intelligence officials. “At a time when fighting continues in parts of Syria,” the government stated, “the priority is to safeguard civilian lives and protect minorities, including Christians.” However, this policy leaves thousands of asylum seekers in a bureaucratic limbo, raising concerns about their immediate future.

The Syrian crisis, worsened by Assad’s fall, is a litmus test for Europe as it struggles to balance welcoming refugees with addressing internal security concerns. Foreign Minister Tajani recently highlighted the risk of a humanitarian crisis and a potential migration collapse, which could have global repercussions. Despite suspending asylum applications, Italy will maintain its embassy in Damascus and continue monitoring the situation in collaboration with international and regional partners.

Domestic political reactions have been swift. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini expressed strong support for the measure, calling it “necessary” to ensure border control. He also suggested temporarily suspending the Schengen Agreement to strengthen checks at Italy’s borders. These remarks have sparked questions about the potential impact of such actions on European relations and the overall management of migration. How Italy translates this policy into concrete actions and the duration of the asylum suspension remain key uncertainties as Syria continues to be a hotspot of political and social instability.

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