Italian Defence Policy Research Articles

The Italian armed forces and the new conflicts in Europe

ABSTRACT The Russian invasion of Ukraine radically altered the strategic context in which the European armed forces operate. For Italy, the event signalled a critical moment as it pushed for at least a partial re-orientation of defence priorities established over three decades, entailing a possible shift from the Southern to the Eastern front and from crisis management to conventional operations as the main focus of the armed forces. This article reconstructs how Italy is adapting to these new constraints by providing a detailed analysis of the responses undertaken and, at the same time, placing those responses in the broader context of Italian defence transformation in recent decades. The objective is to trace continuities and discontinuities in Italian defence policy under the Draghi government and also to assess potential directions for change under the new cabinet led by Giorgia Meloni.

Explaining Italian foreign policy adjustment after Brexit: a Neoclassical realist account

ABSTRACT Drawing on a neoclassical realist approach, this article delves into the impact that Brexit is likely to have on Italian foreign policy. We argue that there are two areas of issue, which are particularly affected by Brexit. Firstly, the Italian relationship with France and Germany. Secondly, the Italian defence policy within the European context. Although Italy has not appeared to have significantly changed its foreign policy course after the British referendum, policymakers in Rome have been concerned by the risks that Brexit entails for the country, and have reacted accordingly. We will observe the variation in governmental interest of three ruling coalitions which have alternated in power since 2016 and, through a neoclassical realist approach, we argue that the Italian response to Brexit has been shaped by both the international pressure to preserve its standing in Europe and the need shared by all governments to keep up to their electoral promises.

Stick to the plan? Culture, interests, multidimensional threats, and Italian defence policy

The international context seems to be increasingly exposed to multidimensional and transnational challenges, ranging from irregular migration and piracy to the violation of basic human rights. Rather than excluding a potential role for the military, many European states rely on it to face a complex security scenario. What are the reasons behind this activism? Taking Italy as a case study, this article works out two main arguments (ideational factors and interests relating to the so-called military–industrial complex) and tries to intercept their weight in the national debate leading to the decision to intervene militarily (or not) in Sri Lanka (2004–05), Haiti (2010), and in the Central Mediterranean (2015–). Ultimately, this effort contributes to understanding the role of the military instrument in Italy, a state particularly exposed to the new challenges ahead, and offers tools for research to be potentially applied in other countries that make similar use of armed forces to deal with non-conventional security threats.

Renew or Reload? Continuity and Change in Italian Defence Policy

How do countries adapt their overall defence policy to deal with mutating scenarios? In this paper, as part of a broader research agenda, we try to address these questions focusing specifically on the evolution of Italian defence policy as it evolved since 2001. The focus of the paper is on the evolution of national doctrine as it emerges from the analysis of strategic doctrine. What we look at here is the “process of translation” from the political to the military level, as embodied by key political strategic documents, and its evolution over time. To do so, the paper examines the Italian White Papers on Defence of 2002 and 2015 through qualitative and quantitative (content) analysis.

Peace and war in the political discourse of Italian Marxist and post-Marxist parties

Culture-based explanations, which are still lacking in the Italian political science literature, help to interpret the effects that changing political identities have on national security politics. The purpose of this article is to offer a contribution to understanding the evolution of the Marxist and post-Marxist parties’ strategic culture from the bipolar to the post-1989 era in Italy. Notwithstanding the transformation of Italian defence policy, with a growing involvement in military operations, the persistent post-war pacifist culture still shapes strategic behaviour. Our hypothesis is that the ‘myth of peace’ is a stabilising factor in the evolution of the strategic cultural identity. Through discourse analysis, this article focuses on the main frames used by leftist leaders to justify their vote in the parliamentary debate during the military operations undertaken in Lebanon in 1982 and 2006.

The Anschluss Question in Italian Defence Policy, 1933-37

This article analyses the vexed question of the Austro-German Anschluss in the context of fascist Italian defence policy during the critical period between 1933 and late 1937. It argues that although Benito Mussolini viewed the Nazi regime as a potential alliance partner long before Italy signed the Pact of Steel in May 1939, he mistrusted Hitler profoundly. This was especially the case over the Anschluss question, which, had it occurred during the course of the fascist assault on Ethiopia (1935-36), would have generated considerable internal alarm and threatened Mussolini's political authority. The essay argues that only with Ethiopia conquered, and the Axis relationship a prominent feature of fascist policy, was it possible for Mussolini to consider Italian accession to a full Austro-German union. At that point military planning and intelligence work no longer considered the likelihood of an Italo-German armed clash over Austria.

Italian defence policy: European engagement and domestic reform

(2001). Italian defence policy: European engagement and domestic reform. The International Spectator: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 27-38.

Eternally in transition . . . Italian defence policy

Eternally in transition . . . Italian defence policy

The new international situation and its implications for Italian Defence policy

The new international situation and its implications for Italian Defence policy

The re-evaluation of Italian defence policy

(1985). The re-evaluation of Italian defence policy. The RUSI Journal: Vol. 130, No. 4, pp. 41-47.

Italian defence policy: Problems and prospects

Italian defence policy: Problems and prospects