Today's episode considers Italy, hailed by The Economist in December 2021 for its improvement but in the news in the summer of 2022 for political problems. Simon and Nick dissect elements of Italy's reputation noting both the advantages and pitfalls of its long significance in the cultural field. Simon compares Italy to fellow high-performer, Japan but asks whether and why Italy is seen as decorative rather than useful. Nick questions the role of the diaspora and the connection of Italy to the church as contributors to Italy's significance. Simon presents the profile of Italy in the Good Country Index where weakness in key fields in apparent. The conversation concludes with a discussion of policy responses to ensure that Italy's existing soft power is preserved to provide a future hedge of what Nick has termed 'reputational security.'