Still on the same path? Italian foreign and defence policy in the Enlarged Mediterranean

ABSTRACT

What is the vital strategic area for Italian foreign and defence policy? As a G-7 member and prominent contributor to international security with leading roles in NATO, UN and EU missions, Italy’s regional and global outlook deserves specific attention. For years, Italian governments have attributed relevance to the ‘Enlarged Mediterranean’ (EM) as a crucial region for protecting and promoting national interests. Yet, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the rising strategic competition in Asia, some authors have observed a significant expansion of Italy’s foreign and defence policy towards Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Thus, one might question whether the strategic significance of the EM for Italy has diminished due to the growing political, economic, and military engagement in other regions. Despite the above-mentioned novelties, this paper argues that ‘Enlarged Mediterranean’ still represents the most relevant ‘path’ for Italian foreign and defence policy. Relying on secondary and primary sources (interviews with Ministers, Undersecretaries, MPs, Generals, and experts; official documents; etc.), the manuscript assesses our claim, paving the way for further broader reflection on the future of Italian (and European) foreign policy.

KEYWORDS:

• Italy
• Enlarged mediterranean
• Indo-pacific
• Russia‐Ukraine war
• Foreign Policy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The name of the Plan refers Enrico Mattei, who – as former Director of the ENI (the national energy company) – negotiated relevant oil concessions in the Middle East at the end of the 19950s.