“Just Deploy and Always Call It Peacekeeping!” Italian Strategic Culture and International Military Operations

Abstract

The fifth chapter studies Italian strategic culture and decisions to participate in all four of the operations examined in the book. The analysis shows that for Italy it has been important that international military operations are multilateral, preferably with a UN mandate, and that they promote a peacekeeping narrative. In all operations studied, Italy has worked towards that end. Even though Italy’s parliament has formally a pre-eminent role and is usually consulted on decisions, the decision itself is in the hands of the prime minister who at times can change his decision in a very short space of time. For historical reasons, the armed forces have been kept at a distance from the political decision-making process but with increased experience from international operations their advice has become more important for politicians.