{"id":16175,"date":"2025-04-01T13:34:56","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T12:34:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brigatafolgore.net\/?p=16175"},"modified":"2026-03-04T23:44:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T22:44:03","slug":"leva-e-riserva-operativa-litalia-e-leuropa-corrono-ai-ripari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brigatafolgore.net\/en\/leverage-and-operational-reserve-italy-and-europe-are-running-for-cover\/","title":{"rendered":"Leverage and operational reserve: Italy and Europe take corrective action"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the balance of European security being tested by the war in Ukraine, the loss of global influence of the United States and the geopolitical rise of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc, more and more countries are considering a return to the compulsory conscription<\/strong>in some cases even extending it to women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics<\/strong>in an interview with the Financial Times<\/em>, reiterated the need to seriously discuss the return to compulsory military service and the restoration of Cold War-era spending levels. A line that reflects the fear of an unprepared Europe in a new and consolidating world disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confirming the alarm, the record figure of the global military expenditure<\/strong>in 2022 reached USD 2,240 billion<\/strong>highest level since 1949, with an increase of 3,7%<\/strong> compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After post-war disarmament, a new need for critical mass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the end of the Cold War, many European states have drastically reduced their armed forces. Countries such as France, Germany and Italy<\/strong> have suspended compulsory conscription, reducing the workforce even by 38%<\/strong>. Only a few nations - including Finland, Greece, Norway and Switzerland<\/strong> - retained active military service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, however, the scenario has radically changed. \"The point is not necessarily to fight the Russians, but to demonstrate a sufficient presence to dissuade<\/strong> any aggression,' he stated Alexandr Burilkov<\/a>, a researcher at Leuphana University in L\u00fcneburg. According to Burilkov, the collective strengthening of European military capabilities is not a luxury, but a necessity 'affordable if done together, especially when considering the consequences of not being prepared'.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Leverage<\/picture>
Military Personnel of some European Nations from 2014 to 2022<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pressure from the home front: 'We need more men'<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cry of alarm does not only come from analysts. They are the same Italian Armed Forces<\/strong>now under increasing pressure, to urgently call for a staff reinforcement<\/strong>.
The latest was theAdmiral Enrico Credentino<\/strong>, Chief of Naval Staff, who in an interview with The Republic<\/em> stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"The Navy's resources are sufficient... but for a limited period. This effort can last three to four years, no longer.\"
He then called for an increase in staff from 30,000 to 39,000<\/strong>claiming to have the support of the Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Also the Chief of Army Staff, <\/strong>Carmine Masiello<\/a>stressed in a parliamentary hearing the need to increase staffing to between 133,000 and 138,000<\/strong>far beyond the current target of 93,100 by 2033<\/strong>pointing out that the numbers provided for in the regulations in force are inadequate<\/strong> to address high-intensity conflicts and fuel NATO missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minister Crosetto<\/strong>also relaunched the idea of a Operational Reserve<\/strong> able to cope with prolonged conflicts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"It is necessary to be able to defend the state at all times, from every threat and for as long as necessary.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Even the former Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone<\/strong>, now chairman of the NATO Military Committee, stated emphatically:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"We are absolutely undersized. Even with 170,000 men we would be on the edge of survival<\/strong>.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"Leverage<\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conscription back on the table in Europe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite the reassurances of Vladimir Putin<\/strong> - who in March called the idea of an invasion of Europe 'utter nonsense' - several European countries are running for cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n