Italy's Starlink Deal Stalls Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Negotiations between Elon Musk's Starlink and the Italian government have stalled, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions. The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was considering a five-year, €1.5 billion deal with Starlink to provide encrypted communications for government and defense officials in risky areas. Talks have been hindered by statements from and about Musk, shifting focus away from technical discussions. Opposition politicians are concerned about the implications of granting a national security contract to a foreign businessman closely aligned with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto indicated that negotiations could resume once the situation stabilizes and returns to a technical focus. The Italian government is balancing its alliance with the U.S. while facing internal political pressures from the far-right League party to support Trump and Musk.