In 1986 the United States launched an attack against Libya in which the Italian government denied their airspace, ports and political-military support. Moreover, Rome warned Tripoli of the air inbound airstrikes, a move that saved Colonel Qadhafi’s life. Twenty-five years later, the US led a second, larger, air campaign against Italy’s former colony. In this engagement Italy not only offered its bases and airspace, but its military also participated in the attacks and even lead the naval contingent. The striking reversal of positions over such a short period begs a whole series of questions, principle among them: What motivated Italy to turn its back on its southern neighbor and support the United States and coalition forces? By examining four key conflicts –Libya 1986, the first Gulf War, Operation Allied Force in Kosovo and the Libya campaign in 2011– this dissertation explains the closing of US-Italian ranks and the transformation of Italy from passive ally to one of the US’s key partners, both geographically and military. By applying the findings of this research, leaders in both Rome and

The Mediterranean Pivot: US-Italian Relations In Time of War and Crisis 1986-2011 / Roberto R. Flammia. - (2014).

The Mediterranean Pivot: US-Italian Relations In Time of War and Crisis 1986-2011

FLAMMIA, ROBERTO
2014

Abstract

In 1986 the United States launched an attack against Libya in which the Italian government denied their airspace, ports and political-military support. Moreover, Rome warned Tripoli of the air inbound airstrikes, a move that saved Colonel Qadhafi’s life. Twenty-five years later, the US led a second, larger, air campaign against Italy’s former colony. In this engagement Italy not only offered its bases and airspace, but its military also participated in the attacks and even lead the naval contingent. The striking reversal of positions over such a short period begs a whole series of questions, principle among them: What motivated Italy to turn its back on its southern neighbor and support the United States and coalition forces? By examining four key conflicts –Libya 1986, the first Gulf War, Operation Allied Force in Kosovo and the Libya campaign in 2011– this dissertation explains the closing of US-Italian ranks and the transformation of Italy from passive ally to one of the US’s key partners, both geographically and military. By applying the findings of this research, leaders in both Rome and
2014
Luciano Bozzo
STATI UNITI D'AMERICA
Roberto R. Flammia
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Flammia_Thesis_CompleteV1.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Tesi di dottorato
Licenza: Open Access
Dimensione 3.21 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
3.21 MB Adobe PDF

I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/896325
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact