Not a week passes that we hear of more acts of Russian interference in the east of Europe, or of another terrorist attack on our freedom of speech, or of a new barbaric act by Islamic fundamentalists in the Middle East and North Africa. In no uncertain terms, these are the drums of war along Europe’s geopolitical fault lines.

With Malta being right on Europe’s border, one cannot but wonder whether such a danger can reach Malta’s shores. What is the Maltese government doing to mitigate such a risk to ensure that the islands are sheltered, or in the worst case scenario, immediately defended militarily?

Is neutrality still Malta’s Holy Grail, or is Nato a way to go? Do we still insist on pursuing the path of neutrality, a path that could easily turn into a double-edged sword, neutral to other people’s plight but others neutral to ours?

And the implications will be dire. Ask the Yazidis and the Kurds in the Middle East. How many thousands had to die in the most barbaric of circumstances until the world reacted, although in a somewhat feeble manner? And hence with respect to the current threat to world order, yes, let’s appreciate the merits of neutrality but let’s also not be complacent. Let’s have the discussion, but above all else, let’s safeguard the security of the islands against an enemy that can easily destroy all that Malta has achieved in our first years of independence, and more.