Two articles published in Italian outlets reflect on the recurring use of historical and cinematic references in political debate, both titled with a quote from The Empire Strikes Back, a film in the Star Wars saga.

An article in La Stampa observes that the history of ancient Rome is sometimes used in political contexts as a source of simplified slogans. The author argues that the complexity of Roman history is reduced to immediate formulas, losing the depth of the real historical picture. This is a cultural reflection on how the past is employed in public discourse.

A second article, published by Editoriale Domani, applies the same cinematic metaphor to US politics, noting a return of themes related to the fear of communism in American public debate. The author compares contemporary political figures to characters from the Star Wars saga, suggesting that anti-communist rhetoric is going through a new phase with updated references to Cuba and current administration figures.

Both pieces are commentative in nature and use popular culture as a tool for political analysis. The first focuses on the use of ancient history in European rhetoric, the second on the use of cinematic analogies to describe political dynamics in the United States. Neither reports specific verified events, but both offer interpretive readings on how cultural language is employed in political discourse.