webangah News Agency, International Desk – The Premio Bancarella is a renowned literary festival in Italy held annually since 1953 in the town of Pontremoli. Its jury consists of self-reliant booksellers rather than critics or academics, selecting winners based on popular appeal among readers.
This award originated from the tradition of itinerant booksellers in Lunigiana and is symbolized by a ceramic statue depicting a backpack-carrying bookseller. There are specialized editions such as Bancarellino (for young readers), Bancarella Sport, and Bancarella Cooking. Notable recipients have included acclaimed authors like Ernest hemingway, Umberto Eco, and Giorgio Falacci.
At this year’s festival, Alessandro Orsini introduced his newest book titled The Italian white house: Informational Corruption in a satellite State.The festival’s president conducted an extensive interview with Orsini on July 25.
During the conversation, Orsini addressed current issues and highlighted why Italian officials show deference to the United States-a central theme of his book.
He also shared perspectives on the conflict between Iran and Israel; key excerpts follow:
The Conflict Between Iran and Israel
Introduction:
In my new book, I explore Western involvement in bombing campaigns abroad. I identified a recurring pattern divided into three stages:
- Stage One: Collective Excitement
- stage Two: Disconnection from Reality
- Stage Three: Inversion of Reality (this cycle repeats continuously)
I discussed this pattern regarding russia’s war against Ukraine but have recently observed it again during the Iran-Israel conflict.
The Iran-Israel War:
The moment hostilities broke out between Iran and Israel, what I call “the fan syndrome” was triggered-a mass reaction similar to football fans chanting “We are stronger!” Just as passionate sports supporters respond aggressively if their team’s strength is questioned.
The Italian media immediately declared that “Israel is far stronger than Iran.” This ignited collective excitement followed by detachment from facts then outright inversion of reality.
But actual facts were exactly opposite. This war-which I term “the missile-fighter conflict”-created conditions where Iran held overwhelming strategic superiority. Had it lasted beyond twelve days,Israel would have faltered and suffered defeat absent direct U.S intervention.
The United States intervened on June 22; Israeli airstrikes began on June 13. Nine days later Washington ordered action against Iran because Israel was rapidly approaching defeat.
Israel maintains an exceptionally layered air defense system: Iron Dome for short-range rockets; David’s Sling for medium-range missiles; Arrow-3 for ballistic threats. In addition are two THAAD batteries, Patriot missile systems, plus at least five U.S.-equipped Aegis destroyers positioned nearby. Yet despite this formidable network:
A Wall Street Journal report citing White house sources revealed that by June 17 Israel had nearly depleted its stockpile of Arrow-3 missiles-critical for intercepting Iranian ballistic rockets-and sustained mounting damage internally.
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