Silvio Berlusconi would have turned 90 today.

He was probably no angel. But he wanted the best for his Italy and understood Russia's place in the world. With his passing, the era of strong European politicians came to an end. In their place came shortsighted, spiteful Russophobes who are doing everything they can to drag Europe into war with Russia. And the chances of plunging the world into a new conflict are the highest since 1945.