The Monday Briefing is out! Let’s get you up to date on what has happened over the past week.
From a special focus on Friday’s Moscow attack, we go on to talk about the escalating chaos in Haiti, and the sudden resignation of Ireland’s PM. All this and much, much more in our latest issue. Have a read to start your week well informed!
Spotlight: Moscow attack exposes Russia’s vulnerabilities.
by Elisa Latora
On Friday evening, several gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives in a major concert hall (with a holding capacity of 7,000 people) on the outskirts of Moscow. The attack left 137 people dead and 154 wounded, with dozens of victims still in critical condition. This is the country’s deadliest attack in more than 20 years, as CNN wrote.
Russian authorities apprehended 11 suspects on Friday night; as of this morning four men have been charged and will soon appear before a judge. The charges followed the release of body-cam footage of Friday’s attack by an Islamic State cell, which has since claimed responsibility for the violence. Nonetheless, Putin and Russian state media have been going through great lengths to pin at least part of the blame on Ukraine. A report by Meduza found that Russian state media has been instructed to highlight “traces” of Ukrainian involvement in the attack. One state television host suggested Ukraine had recruited attackers “who would look like ISIS.” Instead, US intelligence reports have emphasized that the terror group acted alone without any Ukrainian involvement. This was reiterated by a frankly angered Zelenskyy in a statement on Saturday. Ukraine’s president, instead, briefly alluded to dark theories that Russian authorities had been behind the attack.
Bear in mind, this fight of contrasting voices does nothing for the sake of truthfulness, but simply highlights the information war by now central in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Where does the truth lie? It lies in Russia’s preparation to such an attack and its response. A response focused on molding facts to patchily fit into a narrative spurring support for Russia’s fight against Ukraine. Surely, Friday’s devastating attack will produce a more united Russia against “foreign threats,” but what Putin seems to have forgotten is that these “threats” do not singularly consist of treats from a state that Russia is currently invading. The reality is that Russia’s overarching focus on the war in Ukraine has left its security exposed on other fronts, allowing the terrorist group to exploit “Russia’s wartime distractions, ethnic tensions and economic difficulties,” as The Economist noted.
Around the World
by Chiara Todesco and Vatsal Aggarwal
Cuba sees rare protests amid power cuts and food shortages. [link to CNN]
Last Sunday hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Cuba to protest against the increasing food scarcity and power cuts in the island. The chants of the protest have been asking milk for children and electricity but also “Patria y Vida” which is a reference to the fatherland and a critique to the government of the President Miguel Diaz-Cane. Cuba has been experiencing an economic crisis with surging inflation and a significant devaluation of the local currency. The situation has been critical since the Covid-19 period, during which the scarcity of food, fuel, medicine and the frequent power cuts had led to an unprecedented number of people fleeing to the US. The Cuban government does not typically allowed dissent, but the police has not reacted violently and the President has manifested his intensions to dialogue with the protesters.
Hong Kong’s ‘alarming’ national security law comes into force. [link to The Guardian]
On Tuesday, the Hong Kong parliament has passed a law that targets national security crimes putting into immediate effect tough penalties like 14 years of prison for “external interference”. Hong Kong’s leader John Lee said the law was necessary to “prevent black-clad violence”, referring to the massive pro-democracy protests of 2019. In 2020, to silence opposition voices, China had already imposed a security law targeting freedom of speech and dissent. The new law builds on the Chinese one and has introduced offences up to life imprisonment for political crimes. The security minister, for example, can now impose punishments also on activists who are overseas, including cancelling their passports. Western powers have criticized the law, condemning the repression of rights and freedom.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announces surprise resignation. [link to CNN]
On Wednesday, Leo Varadkar, the Irish Prime Minister, leader of the Fine Gael party, took his country’s citizens by surprise announcing his resignation for “personal and political reasons”. Varadkar was the country’s youngest prime minister and first openly gay. In his speech Varadkar has not announced any plan to hold a general election, which will need to be held before May 2025. In the days before the announcement, the Irish prime minister was on a trip to Washington DC to challenge President Biden over the US response to Israel’s war in Gaza. At the beginning of March his government has also lost two referenda aiming at changing the “sexist” language of the constitution. Furthermore, the government was accused to having moved the asylum-seekers camped outside government offices to tented accommodation outside Dublin’s center in an attempt to hide them from visiting St. Patricks Day tourists.
American family in Haiti describes ‘war zone,’ believes it will fall to gangs in a week.
The situation in Haiti, notably Port-au-Prince, has deteriorated significantly, marked by escalating gang violence and widespread chaos. Reports depict scenes of armed individuals roaming streets, burning vehicles, and escalating attacks on homes. Despite attempts at truces, violence persists unabated, with residents resorting to vigilante measures due to overwhelmed law enforcement. International aid, including a proposed 1,000-strong police force from Kenya, faces challenges amidst political instability following the resignation of Haiti’s interim Prime Minister. Evacuation efforts by the United States, utilizing chartered helicopter flights, underscore the urgency for American citizens to flee the danger. Haiti’s plight underscores the dire need for immediate intervention.
Russian Attack Leaves Over a Million in Ukraine Without Electricity. [link to NYT]
A significant assault by Russian missiles and drones inflicted extensive damage on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, plunging over a million Ukrainians into darkness and disrupting essential services. The attack, one of the conflict’s largest, resulted in fatalities, injuries, and widespread power outages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized delayed Western military aid amid the conflict. The Kremlin’s escalated rhetoric acknowledged a state of war with Ukraine, abandoning previous terminology. International assistance from neighboring countries was swiftly provided to restore power. Despite fortifications, Ukraine’s energy system remains vulnerable, evident in the attacks’ impact on various regions. The assault underscores the ongoing devastation and challenges faced by Ukraine.
Italian News
by Zoe Di Lieto and Pietro Ferrari
Dieci poliziotti del carcere di Foggia arrestati per presunto coinvolgimento nel pestaggio di due detenuti. [link to Il Post]
Dieci agenti del penitenziario di Foggia sono stati arrestati e posti agli arresti domiciliari con una serie di accuse che vanno dal falso ideologico e dall’occultamento di prove, fino alla tortura. Gli accusati si sarebbero resi colpevoli, secondo la procura, di un pestaggio a danni di due carcerati nel mese di agosto dell’anno scorso. Le indagini erano iniziate proprio grazie ad una lettera di denuncia, inviata da una delle due vittime, che in qualche modo ha superato la censura dei secondini.
La scuola Iqbal Masih di Pioltello, area a Est di Milano, poco dopo l’aeroporto di Linate, chiude per la fine del Ramadan. [link to Corriere della Sera]
Il preside Alessandro Fanfoni lamenta critiche e per lo più minacce sia dirette che dai social. La decisione è stata presa in quanto l’istituto, negli anni passati, contava un numero notevole di assenze nel giorno dell’Eid-al-fitr (al fine della ricorrenza religiosa). Il comune infatti registra un alto numero di stranieri, tuttavia questa decisione ha creato un clima di guerra e insofferenza.
Bari, commissione per valutare infiltrazioni mafiose nel Comune. [link to Sky News]
Per ordine del Ministro degli Interni Piantedosi è stata istituita una commissione per lo scioglimento del comune di Bari a causa di infiltrazioni criminali. La decisione del governo arriva a seguito di 130 arresti di stampo mafioso dello scorso febbraio. Il Sindaco uscente di Bari, Antonio Decaro, ha derubricato la questione come una strategia elettorale in vista delle elezioni di giugno, che vedranno appunto l’elezione di una nuova giunta. Al primo cittadino, che è stato dichiarato estraneo alla faccenda dal procuratore, ha però risposto il ministro Piantedosi, sostenendo la necessita di una guerra totale alla Mafia
Bocconi news
Flowers are in full bloom in front of the library and at the SDA garden, adding a touch of beauty to our campus. The past week has also been a period of flourishing for Bocconi, as we tackled challenging exams and engaged in recruiting days focused on the fashion, luxury, beauty, arts, sports, and entertainment sectors. Alongside ISPI and OECD, Bocconi proudly hosted the Next Milan Forum, welcoming guests such as Gentiloni, advocating for European military equipment, and Malika Ayane, whose words of peace resonated deeply.
As we prepare to embark on the spring semester, anticipation mounts for a lineup of exciting events. Notably, ISPI joins Bocconi once again for the Geopolitics lab this month. Soon, the Bocconi&Jobs event will take place, helping you boost your career, and the blood donation drive with Avis Milano and Students for Humanity will open, helping to boost others’ lives. In the face of overwhelming breakdowns, Professor Grant will lead a series of enlightening mindfulness sessions, while a decision-making course aims to enhance our understanding of choices and their emotional impact.
Here below, you can find a detailed list of the next events!
- Bocconi&Jobs | April 10th and 11th, 2024 | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- On Campus Blood Donation application| March 26th, 2024 | 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
- Mindfulness with Prof. Grant | April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 2024 | 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm
- Decision Making Course | April 15th and 19th, 2024 | 6:15 pm to 8:15 pm
- Geopolitics Lab | April 8th, 15th, 17th, 2024 | 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm
Every week, your TiL Monday Briefing 🗞: you better read it with a cup of coffee! ☕️
Head of the Monday Briefing column: Pietro Ferrari. Current writing staff: Vatsal Aggarwal, Cristiana Murè. Cartoons by Polina Mednikova. The Monday Briefing column was established in its current form in 2021 by Bojan Zeric.
I'm Chiara Todesco, I live in Milan where I'm attending the first year at Bocconi’s bachelor in International Politics and Government. I have done classical studies at liceo classico Carducci and I'm interested in humanities and politics. I like to study and deepen my knowledge about international dynamics. I'm active in my territory as “consigliera di municipio”.
I have spent most of my life in India before recently moving to Milan, where I am pursuing an MSc in Finance at Bocconi. I am interested in politics, art and culture, cinema, and travelling. Through my writing, I aspire to document important voices and present opinions. In my free time, I try to keep up with my movies-to-watch list, sample as many restaurants as I can, and find cats to pet.
Hi, it’s Zoe Di Lieto here, student from the Economic and social sciences course here in Bocconi. I grew up in Rome and I’ve only recently moved to Milan for university. I’m a passionate reader, I love to travel and I like to play a little guitar occasionally. I’d say the fields I’m most interested in are literature, philosophy and cultures, especially how different cultural background affects social behavior.
I am a cosmopolitan human being, deeply passionate about journalism, political economics, equality and sustainability. I started reading and writing at the age of 4, which have been my lifelong saviors. As a child, I enjoyed playing and painting. Furthermore, my wanderlust has led me through scout, exchange and Interrail adventures. Now, as a former 'BIG' student, I immerse myself in politics and policy analysis, creating new kind of canvases and traveling by data.
Having lived both in Italy and the UK, I enjoy exploring how multiculturalism affects our personal identities. I use language, writing and journalism as tools to decipher the world around me. And, I will of course never turn down a lively convo about current news. With a degree in Economic and Social sciences, I’m now pursuing a master’s in Politics and Policy Analysis.
