The landscape of modern warfare has shifted dramatically, moving away from traditional battlefields to the digital arenas of social media and the fragile cracks within our own societies. European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno warns that we are living through an era of “hybrid warfare,” where foreign actors—most notably Russia—systematically exploit our democratic vulnerabilities to erode public trust. Italy, often described as a “soft underbelly” of Europe, has become a primary target for these operations. With reports showing that a staggering 88% of foreign information manipulation occurs on platforms like X, and a documented rise in the screening of sanctioned Russian state-media content, the threat is no longer a peripheral concern; it is a direct assault on the integrity of our democratic institutions.
The danger of this interference is compounded by a lack of political will, as many leaders continue to downplay the severity of the crisis. Some politicians even mirror Kremlin narratives, turning domestic divisions into weapons that hostile actors are more than happy to amplify. Picierno argues that we must stop viewing this as merely a series of isolated incidents and start treating it as a fundamental national security issue. By allowing foreign-funded disinformation to circulate under the guise of free expression, we inadvertently provide a Trojan horse for authoritarian regimes to dismantle our public discourse from within. Protecting ourselves requires a clear distinction: while we must defend the right to diverse political opinions, we cannot allow the weaponization of our freedoms by states intentionally trying to subvert them.
However, blaming global adversaries for all of our problems would be a mistake. The true success of Russian-led disinformation lies in the fertile ground it finds within our own borders—deep political polarization, declining trust in institutions, and a general feeling of disconnection among citizens. Disinformation is effective not because it convinces everyone that a lie is true, but because it convinces them that truth itself no longer exists. When evidence is dismissed as mere opinion and the public square is fractured, democracy loses the shared reality necessary for healthy debate. Consequently, these foreign influence operations thrive on the apathy and fragmentation that we have allowed to fester domestically.
The path forward, according to Picierno, lies in the urgent necessity for deeper European integration. The EU often appears paralyzed by national vetoes and a lack of a unified foreign policy, a weakness that adversaries are quick to exploit by presenting a divided Europe to its own people. If individual nations act alone, they possess little leverage against global technology giants or aggressive geopolitical powers. Conversely, a cohesive, unified Europe would be a formidable force. Picierno envisions a “democratic shield” that protects the information space, not through censorship, but through the firm enforcement of standards that prevent foreign regimes from orchestrating chaos within our borders.
Moreover, we must navigate the complex realities of global power dynamics without falling into the trap of false equivalence. While Russia wages a direct information war and China pursues its own long-term influence, the United States remains a vital, albeit complicated, ally. The shift in American political tides—marked by the influence of movements like MAGA—serves as a reminder that Europe must become more self-reliant. A stronger, more autonomous Europe is not an alternative to the transatlantic alliance but a prerequisite for a more balanced partnership. Only by assuming greater responsibility for our own defense, intelligence, and foreign policy can we secure our sovereignty in an increasingly unstable international order.
Ultimately, defending democracy is not just about blocking propaganda or regulating content; it is about making democracy work better. It is about closing the distance between the governed and their institutions, fostering an environment where citizens feel empowered rather than manipulated. The fight against foreign influence and the project of a more integrated European Union are two sides of the same coin. By building a stronger, more credible, and unified foundation, we effectively immunize our societies against the cynicism that foreign actors seek to sow. In this new geopolitical landscape, Europe is not just a policy preference—it is the most important strategic asset Italy and the rest of the continent possess.