The Globalist Monday 22 December
Dec 22, 2025
Giorgio Orlandi, an international correspondent for Euronews, dissects Italy's political scene, focusing on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's balancing act of coalition governance and her pro-Ukraine foreign policy. Lynne O'Donnell discusses the implications of U.S. actions on international law and critiques the declining political discourse. Andrew Muller hilariously shares tips for surviving holiday family tension, including clever strategies to deter unwanted guests. Theatre critic Matt Wolfe rounds up festive productions, highlighting the charm of 'Paddington' and the unsettling drama of 'Christmas Day'.
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Domestic Reform Is Her Vulnerability
- The chief risk for Meloni is policy under-delivery: limited reforms and criticism on press freedom could erode support.
- Maintaining the status quo may become harder as unresolved domestic issues accumulate into 2026.
Coast Guard Chases Echo Trump Tactics
- Lynne O'Donnell compares recent US maritime actions against Venezuelan tankers to a continuation of Trump-era pressure on Maduro.
- She warns that extrajudicial-style operations risk eroding international rule of law and inspire stronger authoritarian narratives.
Eroding Norms Have Global Consequences
- Normalising rule-bending by powerful states (like the US) weakens norms globally and can be mimicked by other regimes.
- Lynne links rhetoric and actions from Washington to subsequent crackdowns elsewhere, reducing media freedom and rule of law.