Italy's Defense Minister Blames Youth Riots on Hybrid War

Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Tuesday that youth riots in Milan and other cities over the weekend resulted from a "hybrid war" waged against the West using unconventional tools like TikTok and social media. Crosetto stated at a defense procurement forum in Rome that Western nations have not yet recognized this threat or taken effective countermeasures. He claimed six out of ten young people share views contradicting democratic rules, suggesting they underwent "re-education" outside families and schools. The protests on October 17 against rising living costs and fuel prices led to over 270 arrests, 80% of them minors. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, while the government is deploying 500 troops to Milan ahead of further demonstrations planned for Saturday.